[christiers]

Last July my Coco had her first BAT, came back slightly abnormal...her post test. Again in October her post BAT again came back slightly abnormal. We decided to retest her one more time in April, expecting the same slightly abnormal. This time her pre and post were high...without pulling her folder out right now, she was high teens, low twenty's for pre and post was high, high 60's...low 70's? After this testing I phone UT and U Penn. Since U Penn was merely a hour away I made an appt and went there. Meet with a student and then the internist that was supervising him. They wanted to admit Coco to run labs and the ultra-sound (I was left with the impression that she would be under anesthesia for this), I wasn't prepared or comfortable leaving her so I allowed them to run the bloodwork (no BATS because she had not fasted) and a urinalysis....everything came back within normal limits and the internist expressed to me that she felt Coco had no liver disease at all. She said that "sometimes a number is just a number is just a number".

So from there I was torn, my regular vet (who I had always had the utmost trust and respect for) telling me that Coco definitely had some liver disease and then this internist who felt she did not because she had no clinical symptoms. From there I went to a well respected holistic vet , who had came highly recommended. After reviewing all of Coco's results she agreed with U Penn and felt Coco was fine and should resume a normal diet. So we did. (We began prescription diet in October and denamarin in July). It wasn't long before she was have loose stools/diarrhea. Against advice from the holistic vet, I had not canceled Coco's appt for teeth extractions. I spoke in detail with my regular vet and explained my dilemma and concern. Together we decided to do a liver biopsy because it was what she felt would give us the best option for a diagnosis. She was concerned the ultrasound wouldn't reveal the issue.

I had trusted her for 9 years so we went with that suggestion. Now some more conservative people feel this was done for my own piece of mind and sure that had something to do with it but my vet and I were both expecting a diagnosis of a liver shunt but got MVD instead. Had it been a liver shunt, I was headed to UT (University of Tennesse---this is major because I am a Alabama fan, UT is the best with shunt diagnoses and repairs that goes to show NOTHING comes before the health of my babies if I can do something to help them). With 2 different opinions from a vet i have had a relationship with for 9 plus year and then a different opinion from 2 highly recommended specialist...I had to have an answer. I don't regret it for even a moment and stand firm behind my decisions regarding the course of her Dx. Honestly, I even considered packing her up and taking her to UT anyway just for absolution, but I am neurotic and am trying to refrain unless other symptoms appear or her next BAT is even higher.

My best advice, go with your gut feeling. Do what you feel is best. Coco is doing very well with her diet management and supplements. Good luck!!!!!