The vet has to feed a fatty meal 2 hours before the blood draw for the BAT. Also, this was done after a fast, so I imagine he may have experienced some cramping, as this meal passes through his system.
If the Post (after meal) result is under 100, the dog has MVD. We know this because thousands of dogs have been tested to date and when the results are less than 100, there has never (or almost never) been a shunt. When the results come in over 100, there is more than likely a shunt, and further testing would be warranted..
So, with result less than 100, no further testing is required, unless to repeat the BAT, or if the dog has new symptoms. Just get him on a reduced protein diet to help his liver to function the best it can, without overloading it on protein.
This is a type of illness where you don't need to get definite answers. A liver biopsy can be done to absolutely confirm the MVD, but this is very stressful on the dog ,and very invasive, and all surgeries come with risks. I personnally feel comfortable with the BAT result being the main diagnostic test for this disease. If the result was over 100, then a scintigraphy would be done to determine the location and number of shunts, then if a single shunt, surgery to repair, multiples are inoperative, just treated with low protein diet and medications.
So you can relax, he got a good test result. Not the best, but second best. Considering what he''s been through, if anything the repeat BAT will be lower, as Gallbladder issues, infection, etc. can skew the BAT results (makes them elevated). All you need to do now is get him on the appropriate diet, and hug him alot!
