Some have read already, but... Gracie had LP surgery in July, and bloodwork showed elevated liver enzymes. We waited 6 weeks for a retest, and numbers were stable, but still high. We followed up the next day with a BAT which was 100 pre and 80 postprandial. After seeing an internal medicine specialist, they did an ultrasound and suggested surgery, although the shunt could not be visualized.
Since Gracie was scheduled for a follow-up on her knees and anesthesia was possible, we opted to have the liver surgery today.
The surgeon and I spoke before surgery, and she warned me about enough side effects that I considered calling it off, but she assured me that results are usually excellent.
Of course, despite all of the opinions, they could not find a shunt--glad that the surgery (biopsy) is much less serious, but kind of sad that there was no easy fix. They also removed a pin from one knee, and the knees are doing well.
The good news--Gracie is totally asymptomatic--she is small, but she is a mighty spitfire--no lethargy for her! The surgeon said that her liver looks good and seems sure that the diagnosis will be MVD and that it will be treatable. I am also looking forward to not "waiting" for a problem with her. We had her less than 6 months when the LP was diagnosed, and that led to all of this. I just want to enjoy her without worrying about the next thing.
So throw into the saga car-totaling accident I caused last week, a wedding exactly a month ago, and the new(er) puppy (who is TOO cute for her own good), and I am ready for some quiet. Oh, scratch that. New grandson due next month.
Thanks for listening--only this group would understand and "get it."