Emee's BAT results - HELP!

[Bitsy's Mom]

Emee’s BAT results came back….4/48……possible very mild MVD. The doctor said that she should not be taking ANY meds and does not need a prescription diet! We decided to not to the liver biopsy ($2,100) and will just be doing a spay. What an experience! From this point we are just going to monitor her diet to keep the protein low.

By the way…..we will be finding a new vet!

Thanks again everyone for your support though this scare. What a great group!

[kjc]

Just a heads up here: When they biopsy the liver, it is much more invasive than just doing a spay. Even if the vet can keep the cost down, it's really alot to put your dog through that, unless she is showing other symptoms. The incision is so much longer, there are risks of bleeding, and recovery time is longer. In fact, to me it seems almost cruel to put a dog through this unless there was a very pressing medical need to know. Just bc the vet will be in there isn't a good enough reason for me. Just wanted to let you know.

Great to here the news that she is okay! Scares like that just suck! LS sucks! I need to stop.... Keeping you all in my prayers.....

Sorry, just read the cancel to the liver biopsy! Yea!!!

[Bitsy's Mom]

Originally Posted by kjc

Just a heads up here: When they biopsy the liver, it is much more invasive than just doing a spay. Even if the vet can keep the cost down, it's really alot to put your dog through that, unless she is showing other symptoms. The incision is so much longer, there are risks of bleeding, and recovery time is longer. In fact, to me it seems almost cruel to put a dog through this unless there was a very pressing medical need to know. Just bc the vet will be in there isn't a good enough reason for me. Just wanted to let you know.

Great to here the news that she is okay! Scares like that just suck! LS sucks! I need to stop.... Keeping you all in my prayers.....

Sorry, just read the cancel to the liver biopsy! Yea!!!

I agree Kathy. After doing more research, there doesn't appear to be any reason to pursue the biopsy. We already know it's not liver shunt and based upon Emee numbers it is pretty clear to indicate it's MVD. So....we are going to watch the protein and re-test her again in 3 months and go from there.

Thanks for your information on the biopsy. These are things the you don't get from the doctors. Glad we decided not to go with it.

[kjc]

You're welcome!

[Ellie May]

Whether or not a biopsy is done is a very individual decision based on the dog (imo). I personally would never even consider cutting an asymptomatic dog open with a post in the 40's, but if the pup is being spayed anyway, I think that is a vet's call.

The assumption is that if it isn't a shunt, then it must be MVD. But that isn't true. It's likely, but not always.

Ellie's bile acids were 47, then 15, then all the way up to 106, so they fluctuate quite a bit. She did have a biopsy. Only one sample was taken, so things could have been missed. It was a large sample though and no MVD was seen. The pathologist saw no MVD at all and I guess Ellie's vet had her look again. lol. Nothing. So it could be localized, but it also may not be there. So an asymptomatic Yorkie with bile acids that went up to 106 and no widespread MVD... We do treat it as MVD, but what if it would've come back as hepatic lipidosis? Then we wouldn't be. So not saying the OP should biopsy, just that there is definitely a place for it.

[boomsmom]

Originally Posted by 107barney

That is great news!
Our dog Daisy also has MVD - she is almost 10 and is very well managed on a home cooked vegetarian diet formulated at 15% protein, 6% fat and 16% fiber. She has IBD and allergies so the diet she is on takes these other medical problems into account. We have seen her BATs go from over 100 postprandial to normal limits with diet alone.

We chose not to do a biopsy on our dog because of various reasons and opted to try diet changes first. Initially, we used the Hill's L/D diet but were dissatisfied with it and the dog was not in optimal condition.

Good luck with your baby!

I was wondering what the diet is that you are using for your furbaby? I have just started my boy on a homemade diet and need all the tips I can get. He was diag. with a liver shunt and has been much better since I introduced green veggies and such into his diet.

[Loveoftheyorkie]

I saw at the pet store they have a treat that has a hole in it to place a pill in the center so your dog will take the medication. Called pill pocket take a look at this site.I saw them at pet supply plus but probably find them anywhere.
Dog Treat: Give Canine Medication: Pill Pockets for Capsules or Tablets by Greenies