YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Liver Question- Please help!

christiers · 06-28-2010, 11:20 AM

Hi,
First allow me to say that I am sorry you are dealing with this. The fear of the unknown is intimidating. My yorkie, Coco was recently diagnosed through biopsy with having microvascular dysplasia. Her bile acid tests were done last July and came back around 25, October and results were around 22, and this April just under 70. This last test was the first time her pre test came back abnormal. Without pulling the paperwork it was under 20....16, 17? She was otherwise asymptomatic. She was taken to U Penn for a consult, all lab there was "normal", blood and urine. They did not repeat the BATs. Was told to resume normal diet, she was fine that sometimes a number is just a number is just a number. Regular diet upset her stomach, so I spoke to my vet and she was already scheduled for a few teeth extractions (puppy teeth) and we decided to do the biopsy.

The seizures and acting drunk can be symptoms of Hepatic Encephalopathy. Check this page, www.petplace.com/dogs/hepatic-encephalopathy-in-dogs/page1.aspx.
The clinical manifestations of HE can range from mild (unusual behavior) to severe (coma).

Hysteria
Unpredictable bouts of aggression
Staggering
Pacing
Compulsive circling
Pressing the head against a wall
Sudden apparent blindness
Tremors
Seizures
Coma-like state

These unusual behavior changes are often more pronounced a short time after a meal.

Also watch for:

Anorexia
Lethargy
Weight loss
Drinking a lot or urinating a lot
Nausea or hypersalivation (drooling)
Vomiting
Diarrhea

As far as being nervous about anethesia...discuss these concerns with the vet. Ask questions...will the drug be tailored toward your furbaby with suspected liver issues? What will they use to monitor your furbaby while under anethesia?

There are a few groups on yahoo that are dedicated to liver issues in furbabies.
DogLiverDisease : Dog Liver Disease
Liver_Shunt_And_MVD_Support : Liver Shunt & MVD/HMD Support

I am a complete novice, but I found help and advise here and the 2 previously mentioned groups. Experience is a wonderful knowledge to share. Good luck with your everything. Ask questions, be your furbaby's advocate. It has been my experience that my vet has neverminded me asking why? how? when?. If she doesn't know, she will find out for me. The 2 of you are a team and tackling issues together will warrant the best results for your furbaby. Good luck with everything!!

06-28-2010, 11:20 AM	#12
christiers Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Jersey by way of Bama, USA Posts: 135	Hepatic Encephalopathy Hi, First allow me to say that I am sorry you are dealing with this. The fear of the unknown is intimidating. My yorkie, Coco was recently diagnosed through biopsy with having microvascular dysplasia. Her bile acid tests were done last July and came back around 25, October and results were around 22, and this April just under 70. This last test was the first time her pre test came back abnormal. Without pulling the paperwork it was under 20....16, 17? She was otherwise asymptomatic. She was taken to U Penn for a consult, all lab there was "normal", blood and urine. They did not repeat the BATs. Was told to resume normal diet, she was fine that sometimes a number is just a number is just a number. Regular diet upset her stomach, so I spoke to my vet and she was already scheduled for a few teeth extractions (puppy teeth) and we decided to do the biopsy. The seizures and acting drunk can be symptoms of Hepatic Encephalopathy. Check this page, www.petplace.com/dogs/hepatic-encephalopathy-in-dogs/page1.aspx. The clinical manifestations of HE can range from mild (unusual behavior) to severe (coma). Hysteria Unpredictable bouts of aggression Staggering Pacing Compulsive circling Pressing the head against a wall Sudden apparent blindness Tremors Seizures Coma-like state These unusual behavior changes are often more pronounced a short time after a meal. Also watch for: Anorexia Lethargy Weight loss Drinking a lot or urinating a lot Nausea or hypersalivation (drooling) Vomiting Diarrhea As far as being nervous about anethesia...discuss these concerns with the vet. Ask questions...will the drug be tailored toward your furbaby with suspected liver issues? What will they use to monitor your furbaby while under anethesia? There are a few groups on yahoo that are dedicated to liver issues in furbabies. DogLiverDisease : Dog Liver Disease Liver_Shunt_And_MVD_Support : Liver Shunt & MVD/HMD Support I am a complete novice, but I found help and advise here and the 2 previously mentioned groups. Experience is a wonderful knowledge to share. Good luck with your everything. Ask questions, be your furbaby's advocate. It has been my experience that my vet has neverminded me asking why? how? when?. If she doesn't know, she will find out for me. The 2 of you are a team and tackling issues together will warrant the best results for your furbaby. Good luck with everything!! __________________ Christie- lucky and very proud "mom" to Belle, Coco, Pickles, & Jag Last edited by christiers; 06-28-2010 at 11:23 AM.