In 2001 a study was done showing that less than 2% of Yorkies were diagnosed with a liver shunt. Of course, 2% is too high, but we have to remember that leaves 98% unaffected.
There is NO test that is 100% reliable in showing a liver shunt, except:
Liver Imaging Radiography - Invasive - A dye is injected into the spleen and the dye is tracked through Radiograph through the blood vessels. A blood vessel bypassing the liver can easily be seen on the image. This is the only universally accepted method of confirming a shunt, short of major surgery, it however is extremely invasive.
Tests, blood or urine, only indicate how the liver is functioning at best.
Other Liver Dysfunctions that could mimic Liver Shunt:
Acute Hepatic Failure - Rapid loss of liver function due to death of liver cells caused by drugs, toxins, infectious diseases and lack of oxygen. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms.
Hepatic Lipidosis - The accumulation of fatty tissue within the liver caused by appetite loss which promotes the accumulation of lipid in the liver. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms.
Hepatitis Chronic Active - Inflammation of the liver causing the accumulation of inflammatory cells and scarring. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms.
Copper Storage Disease - Genetic disease caused by excessive accumulation of copper in the liver. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms.
Infectious Hepatitis: Viral disease that targets the liver, kidneys, eyes and blood stream. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms.
Benign Tumors: Abnormal cell accumulation that affects the livers ability to filter and process properly. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms.
Cancer: Abnormal cell accumulation that affects the livers ability to filter and process properly. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms.
Toxins: Excessive overload of impurities in the blood stream that overloads the livers ability to filter and process properly due to illness or disease. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms.
Parasites: Such as liver flukes or HEARTWORMS which invade the liver causing the livers inability to filter and process properly. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms.
Liver Abscess: Lesions that cause the livers inability to filter and process properly. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms.
Cirrhosis - One form of the end stage of liver disease causing the liver to be unable to filter and process properly. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms.
Trauma - Severe or blunt blow to the liver region causing contusions. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms.
Pancreatitis - A severe inflammatory process that occurs with digestive enzymes that can spill over into the liver and cause severe disease. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms.
ADVENOVIRUS - Viral disease of canines. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms.
POISONS: Toxic substances ingested by mouth or absorbed through the skin into the blood stream that can have deadly consequences to your animal such as Oleander, Azalea, Rhododendrons, Poinsettias and Japanese yews to name a few. Causes liver malfunction and can mimic Liver Shunt signs and symptoms.
MEDICINES: There are several chemicals that could be toxic to the liver including medicine given daily to many animals such as Rimadyl (arthritis treatment), Thiacetarsamide (heartworm treatment), Ketaconazole (fungal treatment), Tylenol (acetaminophen), Glucocorticoids (cortisone), Anthelmintics (wormer), Parasiticides, Phenobarbital (epilepsy meds). |