[107barney]

It is also important to find out if your dog has a liver issue before the spay because certain anesthesia drugs are not suitable for dogs w/ impaired livers. For example, a dog with microvascular dyspasia (MVD) which is microscopic shunting in the liver should not be given valium or its derivatives. It is common for vets to use valium as a pre-med before knocking the dog out with gas. If the dog has a liver issue, another drug can be used (propofol). So if I had any suspicious that my dog had a liver problem, I would bile acids test the dog first before I did surgery. I did not bile acids test my dogs prior to their spay or neuter. Also some people think their dog is "head pressing" when the dog is rubbing their face. All of my yorkies rub their faces after eating. They also do it after they have bows in their hair. It doesn't mean they have liver shunts, it just means they like to rub their faces and press their heads into beds and blankets.

Good luck.