I just picked up Toki from her ultrasound appointment. They were unable to detect a liver shunt but they did find some bladder stones (the vet said that there were stones but no crystals...not sure what the significance of that is). She didn't seem so concerned about it and said we could have them surgically removed and sent off to be tested or see if they improve with a change in the diet. I also chose to have them take a blood sample and send it off to Cornell for them to do a Protein C panel.
My vet suspects MVD based on the ALT and BAT values which she said will not require surgery and can be treated medically (as you've all mentioned). She said if I wanted to, we could do the scintigraphy at NCSU. I have an appointment tomorrow with an internist at the vet school where they are basically going to do an exam and redo bloodwork and I will have to schedule another appointment for the scintigraphy. I'm not sure if I should keep it or wait for results from the Protein C panel to come back or wait a few months after having her on the RC Hepatic and milk thistle.
I don't know what to do. The lady I spoke with on the phone said that a basic liver workup could be as high as $1500 (before the scintigraphy). I want to do what is best for Toki but I'm trying to balance that with not having unlimited funds. After running all of these tests, they may come to the same conclusion as my general vet that we just need to change her diet. I hope I don't sound like a terrible person
