4th or 5th incident and Vet cannot diagnose

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by ProfessorPeteZa

U of Tenn is a bit of a ways from me. As i live in South Florida.... is there any word on U of F? If necessary and I am able to cover it financially i will look into U of Tenn. Granted she does indeed have the shunt.

I had NO IDEA about the chicken! Guess what she eats all the time? CHICKEN??? omg ive been posioning her. What should I make for her tonight that would be acceptable. I know I have to get her that food tomorrow when i go to the vet.

Thank you for the links I will be looking at them now and joining that group too.

Thanks,
Vaishali

I haven't heard that they are great with liver shunt, but could be wrong.
It would likely be cheaper even with travel expenses to go to UT...

[ProfessorPeteZa]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I haven't heard that they are great with liver shunt, but could be wrong.
It would likely be cheaper even with travel expenses to go to UT...

Really? I have no idea how much anything will cost. can someone give me a guessitmate of pricing for the procedure? Just ot know how much I will need to start saving, etc and so i wont get sticker shock?

Thanks,
V

[ProfessorPeteZa]

Originally Posted by Lolasmom1211

They can give you a list of food better than I can. Here is a list:
Apple bits (no skin)
Watermelon
Potatoes (not for dogs with kidney issues)
Pasta (can add a little low sodium chicken broth to this)
Noodles
Organic Plain flavored Yogurt (with live active cultures like
Stonyfield brand)
No sodium cottage cheese (Friendship) has 2% sodium
Low sodium Goat cheese (if 3% sodium or less)Redwood Hill Farm/plain
Low fat cottage cheese (only about a teaspoon) OR Cabot brand
which has live acidophilus and bifidus.
Sweet potatoes (not for dogs with neurological symptoms)
Egg whites(scrambled, hard boiled, etc.)one egg white has about
3.5 grams of protein (Do not give egg yolks)
NEVER GRAPES OR RAISINS!
Cheerios (not for dogs with neurological symptoms or those
that have had bladder stones)
Veggies - lightly steamed as dogs have a hard time digesting
them raw - Green/string beans also a viable choice.

Thanks, Im going to see if the vet is open when i get off work. (usually i get off after they close)

[TLC]

Up here on the Northern East Coast - LS surgery at the "Private Specialty Hospitals" run $3000 to $4000 +

I have heard at U of Tenn, ALL the testing and the LS surgery is about $1600 to $1800 (including a spay if needed too)

[ProfessorPeteZa]

Originally Posted by TLC

Up here on the Northern East Coast - LS surgery at the "Private Specialty Hospitals" run $3000 to $4000 +

I have heard at U of Tenn, ALL the testing and the LS surgery is about $1600 to $1800 (including a spay if needed too)

Holy Gaucamole!!!!

thanks for telling. U of Tenn is looking better and better (granted it is indeed LS she has)

*starts saving her pennies*

I hope she can get the Protein C test done tomorrow,

[TLC]

Originally Posted by ProfessorPeteZa

Holy Gaucamole!!!!

thanks for telling. U of Tenn is looking better and better (granted it is indeed LS she has)

*starts saving her pennies*

I hope she can get the Protein C test done tomorrow,

Yup

As far as the Protein C test - I have heard it is best to have it done on Monday/Tuesday, bc it has to get over nighted to Cornell, and you don't want to have it sitting there thru the weekend. Get it

[Ellie May]

I concur with Nicole.
Those prices sound about right.
It is made possible by the Angel Fund.
Then you have the issue of safety and things going wrong after surgery and UT has probably the best record with this. However, it may be MVD (no surgery).

[ProfessorPeteZa]

Originally Posted by TLC

Yup

As far as the Protein C test - I have heard it is best to have it done on Monday/Tuesday, bc it has to get over nighted to Cornell, and you don't want to have it sitting there thru the weekend. Get it

Really I had no idea. Why does it have to go there? What is this test exactly

[ProfessorPeteZa]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I concur with Nicole.
Those prices sound about right.
It is made possible by the Angel Fund.
Then you have the issue of safety and things going wrong after surgery and UT has probably the best record with this. However, it may be MVD (no surgery).

Pardon my ignorance what is the angel fund and what is mvd?

[TLC]

Originally Posted by ProfessorPeteZa

Really I had no idea. Why does it have to go there? What is this test exactly

The Protein C test is a blood draw that costs about $100 (depending on your area). Your Vet has to order special test tubes and instructions from Cornell University. Once the blood is taken it must be sent over night to Cornell University and THEY do the test resulting. You will get results within a few days.

The results come back in a %

Under 75-80 % indicates Liver Shunt (and even though this isn't 100% accurate, it is pretty dam close for the LS)

Above 80% usually indicates MVD or Normal (unfortunatley, this can't be determined like the LS)

Please make sure before you proceed that Your Vet is INDEED following this protocol for the Protein C test
Comparative Coagulation -- NYS Animal Health Diagnostic Center

[Lolasmom1211]

Originally Posted by ProfessorPeteZa

Holy Gaucamole!!!!

thanks for telling. U of Tenn is looking better and better (granted it is indeed LS she has)

*starts saving her pennies*

I hope she can get the Protein C test done tomorrow,

My total cost was about $1700.00 at UT. That also included having the scintigraphy, having her spayed and having all of her baby teeth removed. I did not do the Protein C test. After seeing her BAT results, I was advised not to waste any more money on tests except for scintigraphy. I'm certainly not advising you to do that - Lola's BAT were pretty conclusive so I went straight to UT.

[ProfessorPeteZa]

Originally Posted by Lolasmom1211

My total cost was about $1700.00 at UT. That also included having the scintigraphy, having her spayed and having all of her baby teeth removed. I did not do the Protein C test. After seeing her BAT results, I was advised not to waste any more money on tests except for scintigraphy. I'm certainly not advising you to do that - Lola's BAT were pretty conclusive so I went straight to UT.

what is a scintigraphy?

so a LS diagnosis means surgery is a must?

[Ellie May]

The Angel Fund is a fund at UT that people can donate to.
This makes the cost of LS surgery cheaper there from my understanding.

MVD or microvascular dysplasia is microscopic shunting throughout the liver. It can cause the same symptoms as a shunt but cannot be surgically corrected. These dogs and most dogs who have a intrahepatic shunt (shunt inside the liver) are managed by diet and supplements. Dogs with an extrahepatic shunt (shunt outside of the liver) are usually good candidates for surgery. Extrahepatic shunts and MVD are common in Yorkies and they can have both at once.

A scintography is a test where radioactive dye is given rectally and pics are taken to see if the liver is filtering it properly. This almost always shows a shunt if there is one, however, anesthesia and hospitalization are required.

[ProfessorPeteZa]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

The Angel Fund is a fund at UT that people can donate to.
This makes the cost of LS surgery cheaper there from my understanding.

MVD or microvascular dysplasia is microscopic shunting throughout the liver. It can cause the same symptoms as a shunt but cannot be surgically corrected. These dogs and most dogs who have a intrahepatic shunt (shunt inside the liver) are managed by diet and supplements. Dogs with an extrahepatic shunt (shunt outside of the liver) are usually good candidates for surgery. Extrahepatic shunts and MVD are common in Yorkies and they can have both at once.

A scintography is a test where radioactive dye is given rectally and pics are taken to see if the liver is filtering it properly. This almost always shows a shunt if there is one, however, anesthesia and hospitalization are required.

thanks for the insight!!

I will try to schedule the protein C test for Monday as opposed to tomorrow.

I'll keep u guys in the loops as to the results

thanks for all the help

[Lolasmom1211]

Originally Posted by ProfessorPeteZa

what is a scintigraphy?

so a LS diagnosis means surgery is a must?

A LS diagnosis does not always mean surgery. Your baby may have a shunt that is operable or she could have MVD. If it is MVD, you will have to manage it carefully with diet for life. If it is an operable shunt (extrahepatic), then they may be able to place a ring around the shunt, it will close and your baby will be put back on a normal diet. Some babies have both.