Lacy's BAT results were high...need some advice - Page 13 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

AVERYxo · 03-04-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

It seems like many have had great success with her and I think I would feel better too actually consulting a nutrtionist rather than just having a website calculate diets (balanceit.com). I want someone to be able to tell me why we are feeding certain ingredients and supplements.

I've always been a big supporter of raw...I'm not as confident now, but I am in no way convinced that raw isn't best for most dogs. There are so many who have fed it to their dogs for years and years and it's cured different problems and their dogs have lived very long and healthy lives. My cats eat raw and Rylie is still eating raw right now.

Also with Petzlife...I am only concerned it might have been a contributing factor...I don't think there would ever be any way to prove it. And it seems like most dogs do fine on it. I just wonder if the alcohol in the product is too much for SOME dogs....I guess in the same way that feeding raw doesn't work for SOME dogs.

I too wonder if this is something Lacy was predisposed too. There is just not enough info on Hepatic Lipidosis in dogs to know I guess.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I just got an email back from Natures Variet and they said the true fat in the raw is 11% which is 26% on a dry matter basis.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I have a Nutrition consult set up with Dr. Susan Davis for Friday at 2:00 (central time). I'm looking forward to talking with her

Michele.. i am just seeing this.. i am so sorry lacy is having to go through all this!!

and you too!

poor thing!!
i just have to tell you (i'm sure you have heard it OVER & OVER..) BUT, Susan Davis is absolutely amazing!! She has REALLY helped Lauren and Jodie BOTH, SO SO MUCH!! (among many others)

so, i am glad you are able to speak with her!! i will check back and see how the appt. went!!

have you looked into the honest kitchen for lacy? that is what lauren and jodie feed their girls (who have pancreas issues) and they are doing SO well on it..

i know she will do what is BEST for you, as an individual.. which is SO SO GREAT.. she is AMAZING!! and i just KNOW she will help you guys out a ton!! (even if it's just to give you piece of mind, that what you are doing/feeding is right for lacy!)

but, anyway.. just wanted to throw that out there, about the honest kitchen, in case you haven't looked into it! (which i'm SURE you have

)

xoxo. praying for Lacy!! can't wait to hear what Susan Davis has to say!!

LuvMySissy · 03-04-2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

Lacy does not need to be on a protein-restricted diet...just a lower fat diet with novel proteins... I'm going to make the Dr. Dodd's liver diet today just so she'll have something low fat and with fish to eat for a few days until I get other supplements I would need for other diets. But she can't be on that for long because it's way too low in protein.

I saw a link to a nutritionist..Dr. Susan Davis I think..in another thread. I'm just wondering if I ought to consult a nutritionist. Or do any of you have holistic nutritionists that do phone consults?

Michele - I haven't read all the way through your thread yet, but I have consulted with Susan Davis and she is fabulous. I also had a in-person consult back in November when we were in San Diego. She is fabulous and really knows her stuff. She also has great supplements she recommends.

Sissy was diagnosed with very early PLE because of low Cobalamine, high TLI and high Folate levels. She has been on weekly B12 shots since then along with a tweaked diet and several supplements, BioLiv being among them. Susan suggests that any dog showing a compromised immune system of any kind also has an underlying liver issues - even if bloodwork is normal. She is also on the AskAriel probiotic and Vitamineral Green. She gets re-tested this Friday, so we'll see how she is doing. BTW - she had NO symptoms.....

LuvMySissy · 03-04-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wemple2

Good luck with your consult...hope you are able to find something that you'll be comfortable feeding and is good for Lacy as well.
Do you know, does she ever advise commercial dog food...or does she always suggest home cooking? I've often thought about calling her for a consult on Winston, but I don't really want to home cook, unless I have to. Would she suggest a commercial food depending on the nutritional needs of a certain dog? Like Winston needs higher fiber and carbohydrates...and less fat and protein.

Kathy - I can answer your question about Susan recommending commercial dog food and the answer is yes, when it is appropriate. Cyndi (IzzyPrincess) consulted with her following Izzy's severe bout with pancreatitis and not only did she insist on Dr. Gordon being part of their conversation because of Izzy's very high Lipase and Amalase levels, but they both recommended Izzy stay on the Hills W/D and I/D in combination for at least 6 months.

LuvMySissy · 03-04-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcerella02

Great to hear- I love that Susan knows her boundaries and knows when she needs to bring in the vet- Jodie (Luvmysissy) did a joint consult too and had success- can't wait to hear how it went!

I only had the consult with Susan, Cyndi (Izzy Princess) had the joint consult.

LuvMySissy · 03-04-2009, 01:01 PM

Finally finished reading the entire thread!!! One thing I loved about Susan is she will tell you each dog in an individual and what works for one may not work for another. She actually scolded a few of us YTers for sharing information before consulting!!!!!

With Sissy, I really wanted to keep her on as much of the freeze-dried raw as possible. So what we did was put her on Embark (she is off all chicken products) for one meal, and Preference mixed with cooked white fish and slamong for her other meal. She will be on the probiotic and Vitamineral Green forever!!! We also use THK Sparkle supplement, which is all herbs that support liver function as well as being great for skin and coat!!!! She was on Lypozyme for a full bottle and on BioLiv as well.

Susan actually diagnosed Sissy with an intestinal issue before we got our Spec CPL results back indicating early stage PLE. I am anxious to have her blood work redone to see where we are, as both Susan and our vet our optomistic that her levels will normalize.

Good luck with your consult. I'm quite certain you will be very pleased with both Dr. Gordon and Susan. Please let us know how it goes and feel free to call me anytime!!!!!

MyFairLacy · 03-04-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVERYxo

Michele.. i am just seeing this.. i am so sorry lacy is having to go through all this!!

and you too!

poor thing!!
i just have to tell you (i'm sure you have heard it OVER & OVER..) BUT, Susan Davis is absolutely amazing!! She has REALLY helped Lauren and Jodie BOTH, SO SO MUCH!! (among many others)

so, i am glad you are able to speak with her!! i will check back and see how the appt. went!!

have you looked into the honest kitchen for lacy? that is what lauren and jodie feed their girls (who have pancreas issues) and they are doing SO well on it..

i know she will do what is BEST for you, as an individual.. which is SO SO GREAT.. she is AMAZING!! and i just KNOW she will help you guys out a ton!! (even if it's just to give you piece of mind, that what you are doing/feeding is right for lacy!)

but, anyway.. just wanted to throw that out there, about the honest kitchen, in case you haven't looked into it! (which i'm SURE you have

)

xoxo. praying for Lacy!! can't wait to hear what Susan Davis has to say!!

thanks. Yes, I've heard great things about her and am really looking forward to the consult and hearing what they have to offer. I want to do a homecooked diet for Lacy, but I do want to find something I could easily use in case we need to travel and don't have a fridge or microwave (which is rare but a backup is always good).

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

Finally finished reading the entire thread!!! One thing I loved about Susan is she will tell you each dog in an individual and what works for one may not work for another. She actually scolded a few of us YTers for sharing information before consulting!!!!!

With Sissy, I really wanted to keep her on as much of the freeze-dried raw as possible. So what we did was put her on Embark (she is off all chicken products) for one meal, and Preference mixed with cooked white fish and slamong for her other meal. She will be on the probiotic and Vitamineral Green forever!!! We also use THK Sparkle supplement, which is all herbs that support liver function as well as being great for skin and coat!!!! She was on Lypozyme for a full bottle and on BioLiv as well.

Susan actually diagnosed Sissy with an intestinal issue before we got our Spec CPL results back indicating early stage PLE. I am anxious to have her blood work redone to see where we are, as both Susan and our vet our optomistic that her levels will normalize.

Good luck with your consult. I'm quite certain you will be very pleased with both Dr. Gordon and Susan. Please let us know how it goes and feel free to call me anytime!!!!!

Thanks. I got her records faxed off today and our consult is saturday morning. So I will let you all know how it goes

yorkiecrazy · 03-04-2009, 03:26 PM

I've been following your thread but haven't posted. I'm glad Lacy's problem can be controlled with diet. I think you're doing the right thing consulting a nutritionist.
I was wondering if you have had a blood panel done on Rylie just to see what his looks like? I know he's not having any problems but maybe to be on the safe side since they were on the same diet. Just a thought.
I've been accused of being over worried.
Keep you and Lacy in my thoughts.

LuvMySissy · 03-04-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkiecrazy

I've been following your thread but haven't posted. I'm glad Lacy's problem can be controlled with diet. I think you're doing the right thing consulting a nutritionist.
I was wondering if you have had a blood panel done on Rylie just to see what his looks like? I know he's not having any problems but maybe to be on the safe side since they were on the same diet. Just a thought.
I've been accused of being over worried.
Keep you and Lacy in my thoughts.

Jamie - I don't think you're crazy at all!!! I did request a full panel on Angel at her 2 year check-up to be certain she doesn't have what Sissy does, especially since Sissy had no symptoms!!!

MyFairLacy · 03-04-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkiecrazy

I've been following your thread but haven't posted. I'm glad Lacy's problem can be controlled with diet. I think you're doing the right thing consulting a nutritionist.
I was wondering if you have had a blood panel done on Rylie just to see what his looks like? I know he's not having any problems but maybe to be on the safe side since they were on the same diet. Just a thought.
I've been accused of being over worried.
Keep you and Lacy in my thoughts.

I did do a full blood chemistry panel on Rylie and all was normal, but of course Lacy's blood chemistry panel was normal too. I didn't do a bile acid test on him since he hasn't been sick at all. I'm kindof afraid to do one on him now...which i know is wrong. He seems to be fine though. I'm hoping we'll have a little time just to discuss his diet though. I'm not 100% sure I want to keep him on the raw...might decide to homecook for him too..and maybe he could benefit from a low fat diet too since he's kindof chunky LOL

tumismom · 03-04-2009, 04:15 PM

I can't say enough good things about susan davis. I consulted her about Tumi's diet since she was itching all the time. It's not as severe but I wanted to make her feel better. She was on NV raw and so were my other girls. The other 2 didn't have any issues at all. So she designed Salmon and Sweet Potatos diet for Tumi and I also asked if it was okay for the other girls too. And also she wanted me to do either Rabbit or Venison for raw if I want to rotate the girls diet. All my girls are on the same diet ever since..they get Primal Raw Venison in the morning and the homecook food at night. After a week, Tumi stopped itching and it's been that way ever since. I usually cook a big batch of food and the seperate them in small containers and freeze them. I only cook maybe 2x a month or so and just freeze them. So I don't mind it at all. Pluse they each only get like an ounce each of homecook stuff anyway.lol

BLEU BOY BARBER · 03-07-2009, 08:32 PM

Just checking in on Lacy and wanted to say Thank you for the email on PETZLIFE. I think it is awesome you spoke with the owner.

DAB · 03-08-2009, 10:49 AM

HMM. My Yorkie was sick during the holidays----throwing up bile and very loose stools. She has been to my vet and also to Tufts University. Her bile acid numbers are in the 500's. Normal, I am told, is 7 or under! She has had numerous blood tests to confirm the high numbers simply because one test showed her BA number was fine. She has had an ultrasound done by very highly qualified personel at Tufts. No signs of a liver shunt problem. She will go back to Tufts this week for a scintigraphy test where she will be injected with a radio active dye to once and for all determine what is wrong.

But, please note. Since her sick bout in December she has been on Metronidazole...now once a day. She is as perky as ever and does not appear sick. In other words, there are no outward clinical signs that ANYTHING is wrong with her. Yet, apparently there is as the Acid Bile numbers are ridiculously elevated! I will keep everyone posted to my little Emma's progress. She will be kept over night at the Tufts University Foster Hospital for Small Animals to be sure all the radio active dye is flushed from her system. I am a bit worried about this procedure but I know people on this forum have had good results with it. Once we know exactly what is wrong, we can sir with the doctors and consider our options.

Maybe a bile acid test for your baby would be advisable....just in case. But I am so happy that your girl is feeling fine as mine is.

DAB

yorkiesmiles · 03-08-2009, 10:57 AM

Michelle, Was curious about an update & wondered how the consult went.

Ladymom · 03-08-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAB

HMM. My Yorkie was sick during the holidays----throwing up bile and very loose stools. She has been to my vet and also to Tufts University. Her bile acid numbers are in the 500's. Normal, I am told, is 7 or under! She has had numerous blood tests to confirm the high numbers simply because one test showed her BA number was fine. She has had an ultrasound done by very highly qualified personel at Tufts. No signs of a liver shunt problem. She will go back to Tufts this week for a scintigraphy test where she will be injected with a radio active dye to once and for all determine what is wrong.

But, please note. Since her sick bout in December she has been on Metronidazole...now once a day. She is as perky as ever and does not appear sick. In other words, there are no outward clinical signs that ANYTHING is wrong with her. Yet, apparently there is as the Acid Bile numbers are ridiculously elevated! I will keep everyone posted to my little Emma's progress. She will be kept over night at the Tufts University Foster Hospital for Small Animals to be sure all the radio active dye is flushed from her system. I am a bit worried about this procedure but I know people on this forum have had good results with it. Once we know exactly what is wrong, we can sir with the doctors and consider our options.

Maybe a bile acid test for your baby would be advisable....just in case. But I am so happy that your girl is feeling fine as mine is.

DAB

Just an FYI, Lacy did have a bile acids test. That's what started the whole thing!

I'm sorry your girl is going through all that. Ultrasounds are not reliable for detecting liver shunts. Shunts, especially those outside the liver, are easily missed. It is harder to detect them with an ultrasound in small dogs, too.

Portosystemic Shunts FAQ

Scintigraphy is much more accurate. Hopefully that will give you some answers.

Ladymom · 03-08-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkiesmiles

Michelle, Was curious about an update & wondered how the consult went.

Me, too. Wasn't it scheduled for yesterday?

03-04-2009, 01:01 PM	#185
LuvMySissy Luv my Angel, too! Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: USA Posts: 9,333	Finally finished reading the entire thread!!! One thing I loved about Susan is she will tell you each dog in an individual and what works for one may not work for another. She actually scolded a few of us YTers for sharing information before consulting!!!!! With Sissy, I really wanted to keep her on as much of the freeze-dried raw as possible. So what we did was put her on Embark (she is off all chicken products) for one meal, and Preference mixed with cooked white fish and slamong for her other meal. She will be on the probiotic and Vitamineral Green forever!!! We also use THK Sparkle supplement, which is all herbs that support liver function as well as being great for skin and coat!!!! She was on Lypozyme for a full bottle and on BioLiv as well. Susan actually diagnosed Sissy with an intestinal issue before we got our Spec CPL results back indicating early stage PLE. I am anxious to have her blood work redone to see where we are, as both Susan and our vet our optomistic that her levels will normalize. Good luck with your consult. I'm quite certain you will be very pleased with both Dr. Gordon and Susan. Please let us know how it goes and feel free to call me anytime!!!!! __________________ Sissy & Angel

03-04-2009, 03:26 PM	#187
yorkiecrazy Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston area Posts: 2,672	I've been following your thread but haven't posted. I'm glad Lacy's problem can be controlled with diet. I think you're doing the right thing consulting a nutritionist. I was wondering if you have had a blood panel done on Rylie just to see what his looks like? I know he's not having any problems but maybe to be on the safe side since they were on the same diet. Just a thought. I've been accused of being over worried. Keep you and Lacy in my thoughts. __________________ Jamie - Gracie's Katie's and Chloe's mom : Gracie 11-12-99 11-1-2012

03-04-2009, 04:15 PM	#190
tumismom Owned by Tumi & Gracie Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 2,321	I can't say enough good things about susan davis. I consulted her about Tumi's diet since she was itching all the time. It's not as severe but I wanted to make her feel better. She was on NV raw and so were my other girls. The other 2 didn't have any issues at all. So she designed Salmon and Sweet Potatos diet for Tumi and I also asked if it was okay for the other girls too. And also she wanted me to do either Rabbit or Venison for raw if I want to rotate the girls diet. All my girls are on the same diet ever since..they get Primal Raw Venison in the morning and the homecook food at night. After a week, Tumi stopped itching and it's been that way ever since. I usually cook a big batch of food and the seperate them in small containers and freeze them. I only cook maybe 2x a month or so and just freeze them. So I don't mind it at all. Pluse they each only get like an ounce each of homecook stuff anyway.lol __________________ PROUD MOMMY OF MS.TUMI,MS.TSUBI AND MS.GRACIE! I LOVE MY BABY GIRLS!! PROUD MEMBER OF THE CRAZY CLUB!

03-07-2009, 08:32 PM	#191
BLEU BOY BARBER Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,935	Just checking in on Lacy and wanted to say Thank you for the email on PETZLIFE. I think it is awesome you spoke with the owner. __________________ *Spoiled Rotten Mama's Boy* *Bleu Boy 's Sophie* We Are Wrapped Around Your Little Paws Bleu Boy Barber Dedicated Atlanto Axial Subluxation Paw Parents

03-08-2009, 10:57 AM	#193
yorkiesmiles Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,493	Michelle, Was curious about an update & wondered how the consult went. __________________ yorkiesmiles Loved by Bubba & Roxy *Holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come*

03-08-2009, 10:49 AM	#192
DAB Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chicopeee, MA Posts: 110	HMM. My Yorkie was sick during the holidays----throwing up bile and very loose stools. She has been to my vet and also to Tufts University. Her bile acid numbers are in the 500's. Normal, I am told, is 7 or under! She has had numerous blood tests to confirm the high numbers simply because one test showed her BA number was fine. She has had an ultrasound done by very highly qualified personel at Tufts. No signs of a liver shunt problem. She will go back to Tufts this week for a scintigraphy test where she will be injected with a radio active dye to once and for all determine what is wrong. But, please note. Since her sick bout in December she has been on Metronidazole...now once a day. She is as perky as ever and does not appear sick. In other words, there are no outward clinical signs that ANYTHING is wrong with her. Yet, apparently there is as the Acid Bile numbers are ridiculously elevated! I will keep everyone posted to my little Emma's progress. She will be kept over night at the Tufts University Foster Hospital for Small Animals to be sure all the radio active dye is flushed from her system. I am a bit worried about this procedure but I know people on this forum have had good results with it. Once we know exactly what is wrong, we can sir with the doctors and consider our options. Maybe a bile acid test for your baby would be advisable....just in case. But I am so happy that your girl is feeling fine as mine is. DAB