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YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendale, AZ
Posts: 4
| ![]() I have a 3.5 lb yorkie puppy, Ruby, whose bile acid test just came back indicative of a liver problem (pre test normal - post test was 23.1). Her Chemistry test came back normal, also. I've heard not to worry if the post wasn't over 100. My vet is suggesting an ultrasound, but I've read on here about Scintigraphy?? Ruby is a "replacement" puppy one that i lost over the summer with a very large shunt. The puppy that died this summer had every single symptom of a shunt.. this one has NONE. She is so hyper, gains weight, eats fine and drinks good too. The breeder (who is the same person that sold me the first puppy that passed) is no longer interested in working with me. I can't afford a 3000 dollar surgery, so I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about how long my sweet girl would live on a low protein diet, etc? |
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Gizzy & Kandi spoil me Donating Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Waco, Texas
Posts: 8,477
| ![]() Oh wow, I'm sorry you had to go through that with your first puppy, and I sincerely hope this one is okay. I can't give you any advice, but I wanted to welcome you to YT. There are a lot of members here who can help answer your questions.
__________________ The fullness of our heart is expressed in our eyes, in our touch, in what we write, in what we say, in the way we walk, the way we receive, the way we need. -Mother Teresa ( RIP Gizmo 3/9/07-8/18/12) ![]() |
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And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| ![]() I'm so sorry about your first pup. ![]() That post is really low. I personally would retest in one month making sure that she doesn't get any meds (including heartworm, flea and vaccines) for two weeks before. These can skew the results. Idexx says the post shouldn't be over 15 but Dr. Center (developer of the bile acids test) says that it shouldn't be over 25. I think your pup is likely just fine. ![]()
__________________ Crystal ![]() ![]() ![]() Last edited by Ellie May; 11-13-2008 at 02:33 PM. |
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Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Michigan
Posts: 646
| ![]() I would have a protein c test run. Following is the information at Cornell University about sending in the blood test and how to do it. I think that would be my next step. I would not worry though, those results seem very low and close to normal. Comparative Coagulation -- NYS Animal Health Diagnostic Center |
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YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendale, AZ
Posts: 4
| ![]() Thank you so much for your responses.. We are taking her in the morning for a second opinion of the results with a specialist. I am curious about how a vaccine could skew the post BAT but not the pre? She did just have a 5 in 1 shot about two weeks ago... |
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YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendale, AZ
Posts: 4
| ![]() Does it impact any of what you said, Ellie May, that she is 11 weeks old? |
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BANNED! Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA
Posts: 11,073
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And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
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I guess if it were me I would retest when she gets a bit older (probably around 6 months) and ignore the results you just got. If it is under 25 next time, that would be normal. If your vet sends it to Idexx though and you go with their reference range, the vet may pressure you to do more testing. I would absolutely not do an ultrasound right now. If she shows any symptoms before then, I might retest early but that post really isn't concerning. About the vet, I'm a bit surprised that he/she would tell you to get an ultrasound for a post only a few points over reference range. This was sent to Idexx or Antech, right? Or was it a Snap test in the office? When my Yorkie's post went to 106, we then decided to do an ultrasound (which are often inconclusive by the way). When her post was 47, we tried to get it down with diet and supplements.
__________________ Crystal ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
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YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendale, AZ
Posts: 4
| ![]() I just got home from the specialist.. and you all were sooo right. He said that 23.1 for the post is higher than he'd like but not a reason for major concern. He also said her glucose levels were normal and that dogs with liver problems have difficulty processing sugar? and that her protein level was 5.0 and that was fine too. No low pro diet and no need for re testing for a while.. wheww. I really thought I was going to lose another one to shunting and liver problems. Thanks again for the thoughts everyone!! |
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YT Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: Charleston
Posts: 307
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YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,048
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And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
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![]() Honestly, she shouldn't have been tested until at least 20 weeks old unless she was showing symptoms. This is Dr. Center's new recommendation. The organs aren't fully developed by 11 weeks. Since this wasn't really an accurate reading, I'd redue it after 20 weeks. If it is over 15 or 25 (depending on your comfort level), I would then do a Protein C test.
__________________ Crystal ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
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Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: albrightsville, pa usa
Posts: 24
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Make sure you find a Board Certified Radiology. The first ultrasound was not done by a Board Certified Radiology. She was able to tell us that our Yorkie had a liver shunt but was not able to tell us the extend. I then took my Yorkie to a board certified radiology who confirmed every and told us yes had a good chance of living with surgery due to type of liver shunt. | |
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Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: albrightsville, pa usa
Posts: 24
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I didn't read the other's replies and this post. Glad to hear that there is no need to worry. Our Yorkie's bile acid test results were very high. Also her liver ezymes. | |
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Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Kansas
Posts: 39
| ![]() There is a group called Liver Shunt and MVD Support on Yahoo that you may want to join. They have some great advice. My little one has some liver damage due to chemo therapy and I have gotten on that forum and found tons of advice. My little one is now on a liver friendly diet thanks to that forum. http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/L...d_MVD_Support/ |
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