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05-26-2007, 08:03 AM | #1 |
Blessed by Otis & Ollie Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Plainfield, Indiana
Posts: 2,884
| Fasting bile acid level 53 Otis had a fasting bile acid level yesterday and it was 53. The vet was surprised because he's only had 2 spells in 2 weeks of looking around at things that aren't there and they only last about 25-30 minutes. But I'm at work all day so he could be having more. They are not full blown severe seizures. I was upset because they didn't do the pre AND post yesterday, and she has offered to not charge me for that when they do the additional bloodwork. She felt it wasn't going to be abnormal based on her exam and my information. They want to do 2 abdominal x-rays, liver u/s, chem 12 and the pre and post. I am curious if they do all these tests, and then send me to a specialist, will they want to do them all again. I'll gladly empty my savings for my Otis, but should I just take him to the specialist anyway, or go ahead and have these preliminary tests here in town? Should I just ask her for L/D and lactulose, or press on with these tests that could add up to the thousands. I'm sick because of wanting to do everything I can to help my baby, but having financial limits. The vets in my town want payment at the time of service. If I knew the specialist would let me make monthly payments it would be no problem. How do I convince them that I"m good for the payments. I work full time and DO NOT want to compromise the health of my baby because I don't have cash on the spot. I want my baby healthy, but he has to have a home to live in. I work at an Internal Medicine office for people and if we had this sort of policy, lots of people would stay sick. Pray for my boy, and me, as I try to make the best decisions for both of us. (Also, pray that the vet's office will see I'm a good person and allow me a special circumstance to make payments) I'll have the money...I just don't usually have it all at once.
__________________ ~Paula~ proud mommy of ~Otis (yorkie) & Oliver (shih-poo) |
Welcome Guest! | |
05-26-2007, 10:34 AM | #2 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: California
Posts: 3,025
| That sounds like a really horrible and upsetting situation to be in... Do they have a credit card system, where they can take the money that you owe out of your account every month or something?
__________________ Anna and Wobie |
05-26-2007, 11:35 AM | #3 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA
Posts: 7,178
| I wouldn't have the x-rays and ultrasound done by your regular vet. Let a specialist do these tests...Many times ultrasounds are inconclusive when it comes to trying to find a liver shunt, especially with a vet that is not very experienced with liver shunts... Just have them do the correct bile acid test and then find out what the results are. Once you have the results, if they are abnormal, you can contact Dr. Karen Tobias at UT where they can do the rest of the pre-op testing (ie. scintigraphy, bloodwork, u/s, or whatever is needed), the surgery, and the post-op work for around $1400. Or contact the specialist that they want to send you to. They should be able to estimate the tests and surgery over the phone so that you can have some sort of idea how much it will be. If your baby does have an operable extrahepatic liver shunt, get the surgery done. They will put her on the special diet, supplements, and lactulose up until the surgery and probably for some time after the surgery until her levels get back to normal. It's very important that dogs who CAN have a shunt repaired, do get it repaired. As far as payment goes, many specialists take CareCredit. They should be able to tell you how to apply for it. This will allow you to make monthly payments on it. I'm almost positive that UT takes CareCredit. A few people I know have paid for their dog's surgeries through CareCredit. Or maybe you could put it on a credit card. There are some organizations out there that will help with vet bills also. Do a google search for it. I'm praying for you and your baby!!
__________________ Miko 's his Mommy |
05-26-2007, 11:38 AM | #4 |
BANNED! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky
Posts: 9,248
| many things can cause high bile acid. According to my vet and the print out I got from Ceeby's test, it has to be greater than 100 to be considered liver shunt and further testing done. If I were you , I would get a second opinion before laying out the big bucks. |
05-26-2007, 01:52 PM | #5 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA
Posts: 7,178
| Under 100 can be indicative of MVD though. There's a test called a Protein C Assay that can help your vets determine if it's a liver shunt or MVD...
__________________ Miko 's his Mommy |
05-26-2007, 03:46 PM | #6 |
BANNED! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky
Posts: 9,248
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