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Originally Posted by kjc  The University of Tennessee is a world renoun leader in Liver Shunt Research. There are pages on their site full of info about LS...
I am confused at this point.... the best thing I would tell you to do is to get a second opinion... and to do some research... this is from: Portosystemic Shunts FAQ Can a shunt be diagnosed with a liver biopsy?
In animals with shunts, the liver is smaller than normal because it is atrophied from poor blood flow. On a liver biopsy, the tissues appear shrunken. Some of the vessels are very tiny, while others multiply in an attempt to improve the blood supply and drainage. These changes are called hepatic microvascular dysplasia. Hepatic microvascular dysplasia (HMD or MVD) can also occur in dogs without liver shunts; therefore, other tests are needed to be determine if a shunt is also present.
Concerning the elevated AST and ALT: These values can also increase due to toxins (general term) and by that I mean anything from the dog ingesting mushrooms to getting too many vaccines at one time... and everything inbetween.
I have never seen prednisone prescribed for Liver Shunt.
Why was your dog on long term metronidazole? and for how long?
You say she 'acts well'... is she 100% or is she still having neuro symptoms? Exactly what symptoms was she showing?
More history: When was she last vaccinated, what vaccines did she get, has she ever had any reactions to vaccines?
Best next thing to do for her would be a Bile Acid Test.
I am not convinced she has a liver shunt.... and I wouldn't give the pred until sure of what is going on with her.
I am not a vet. |
Thanks for the info - I have been on the Tennessee website and also on the Yahoo liver shunt websites. Anyway, she was on metronidazole for 3 weeks - 1/2 tablet every day and she started walking "on air" and wobbly; luckily within a week of taking her off this antibiotic, she improved to her "normal" state - her "normal" is she's eating well, 3 times a day, virtually no vomiting; acting herself, playing, chasing her ball, weigh gain. He put her on metronidazole after her liver enzyme results came back so high. She had Rabies vaccination and and DHL shots for the first 2 years of her life; and the our vet decided not to vaccinate her again with these liver issues popping up. She has never had reactions to her vaccines. I will check with our vet for the BAT; but, I will ask again if anyone else out there on YT has had their Yorkie put on Predinisone with liver issues. Thank you for your help.