Top liver shunt vets - have you been? I'm getting nowhere with my local vet re: my little guy's liver condition (possible shunting) and I want to go see a specialist. I figure if I'm going to be traveling regardless, I should go see the best. Has anyone gone to see Dr. Tobias or another top LS vet? If so, what was your experience? How did you go about making an appointment (what number did you contact) and how long did you have to wait to get in? If you traveled there, how long did you stay for? |
When I found out my Lola had a liver shunt in 2009, I called University of Tennessee myself and set things up. I did have to get a referral from my vet, but I just faxed the form over to them and they faxed it back to UT. I made sure that Dr Tobias would be there to do the surgery. At that time, 3 years ago, Lola was spayed and also had her baby teeth removed while there, and her total bill was about $1700. My regular vet did not want to do the BAT because Lola had no symptoms. She just would not eat much and she was so small - around 3 pounds. She had started sleeping a little more and did not play with her toys like she did when she was younger. Her coat was not full and pretty like her "brother", who came from a different breeder. I finally insisted on a BAT, and her numbers were very high. After doing ALOT of research, I knew the next step was scintigraphy and I wanted Dr Tobias to do both the scintigraphy and surgery, if necessary...which it was. I cannot say enough wonderful things about UT, Dr. Tobias and the staff - they were so kind to both Lola and me while there. I flew to TN Wednesday night, Lola went in Thursday AM and I picked her up Saturday PM and flew home on Sunday morning. She had dissolvable stitches and has done great since - not 1 complication. Her energy level increased and she gained almost 1 pound - that was huge for her! Good luck |
I have heard many praisings for Dr Tobias in Tennessee and I myself If I could have traveled the distance would have went. Brutus is Schedualed for surgery next month for his liver shunt and he has been the low protein diet and the medicine now for almost 2 months. Let me tell you he has been doing 10 times better he even gained some weight. So now we are just waiting to do the surgery and hope it all goes well. I am using doctor Levin at Northstar Vets in Robbinsville NJ. It really depends on where you live on the price they quoted me between 3500-4300 depending on if anything goes wrong. I am sorry that I dont know any vets in your area of the country but good luck. :) |
We are in the process of trying to find out why my Christabel's liver and bat is slightly elevated. I have been working with my local vet. From the advice I found here from fellow yt'ers I contacted UT. I went to the webpage and emailed Dr. Tobias. I received a follow up email and phone call from one of Dr. Tobias's vet techs. Very helpful and more than willing to help. You do have to have a referral from your vet. She said that Dr. Tobias would consult with my vet, on the phone, for options. You do have to have an appointment for elevation. By the way she talked there is not a long waiting time for an appointment. She also recommended a protein c test for Christabel. The UT lab will work with my vet to let her know how to handle the blood and get it transported properly. If we have to do surgery I will definitely take Christabel to Tennessee. They gave me a ballpark figure of 2,000.00 if she has a liver shunt. That would include imaging, spay, biopsy, fixing shunt and her stay (I think three days). If any thing unforeseen happened or she had to stay longer it would naturally be fees for whatever else they would have to do. They are very helpful and said if you can't come to them they will work with your vet. They can help you find a specialist in your area also. Hope your little guy does ok. What kind of issues is he having? |
Thanks so much everyone! I actually just got a call from our vet with the Protein C results and she thinks that he has MVD, not a portosystemic shunt (I'm assuming bc protein C was normal). We've moved him onto "l/d" and she is going to talk to another vet there to see if anymore tests should be done. Hmm I'm just not sure....do I try out the new diet first and re-do the BAT? Or do I hightail to Tennessee to try and get more answers? It's so frustrating because he has NO symptoms (he's a spunky 5yr old), so the vet is just assuming MVD at this point sine his BATs were high (post-meal was 97). |
Fyi The vet tech at UT told me they could not tell for sure about a liver shunt without imaging or mvd without biopsy. She also said that pups could have both. It's just such a scary situation with our furbabies. You could give them a call. They are very helpful and will help to guide you with your decisions. Good luck with your little guy hope all goes well. I'll be sending up prayers for him and you. It's nerve racking trying to figure this all out. |
Why was she checking his levels in the first place? Was there any other symptoms going on? From what I've read up on it so far shunts usually show earlier in life and mvd later. Unfortunely they cant tell you if it is mvd unless they do a biopsy. |
II highly recommend UT, they treat you and your pet so nice, Micah was not treated by Dr Tobios... but i was very pleased with the DR that we had there |
I'm sorry I couldn't make it to UT. I think more would have been done for Tinkerbell if Dr Tobias had done her surgery. Maybe when I get it paid off we'll try again... |
HI- Gigi, my 6 year old Yorkie, had liver shunt surgery in December 2011. I had bloodwork done prior to scheduling dental cleaning which is how initially discovered something was up with her bloodwork. BAT and ammonia levels were outside normal ranges. I made an appt to have ultrasound and then added Protein C test. Ultrasound was inconclusive, i.e. they thought they say shunt. Protein C results indicated possibly MVD. There were a lot of concerns because of Gigi's age. It was recommended that I treat her medically versus exploring surgery. I wanted to give Gigi the best chance at having a quality life....so I headed to UT. Yes, you will need to have a referral from your vet. It is a VERY simple process. I'm glad I went....Dr. Tobias and her residents are the best. Gigi did have a liver shunt which was corrected. Liver biopsy later revealed she also had mild MVD. If you are able to do so, please consider going to UT. |
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HI- No she didn't have any symptoms. After receiving the initial BAT results from my VET, I was referred to an internist so that Gigi could have additional tests within the week. This was around mid November 2010. She had an ultrasound which was inconclusive they "thought" they saw a shunt but were not definitive. The internist prescribed Prescription LD, lactulose, and Ursodial. The vet internist had a concern with proceeding with surgery because based upon past studies, there was a high mortality rate for older dogs. She advised dogs with liver shunts are usually diagnosed within the first 2 years of life. At the time, Gigi had just turned 6. After reading the liver shunt posts on YT as well as conducting research, I decided to contact UT. I reviewed my findings with my primary vet and decided to go to UT for the consultation. I contacted UT and my vet sent over the referral. From the time Gigi was diagnosed to the time I made an appt to have the UT consult was about 2 weeks. I was fully prepared to treat Gigi medically if Dr. Tobias thought the risks were greater than the benefits of having surgery. However, Dr. Tobias advised age was just only one factor in determining a candidate for surgery, i.e. past health history, type of shunt etc. They performed an scintography (sp) and confirmed a PSS liver shunt. She thought Gigi was a good candidate so I decided to have the surgery. Sorry for the long answer but it just a very scary experience. Hindsight is 20/20...if I had to do it all over again. I would have skipped the consult with the internist and gone straight to UT. The internist visit cost me an $700 for an ultrasound which was inconclusive. Gigi's Protein C results indicated the probability of no LS but rather MVD. However, once the scintography was conducted (at UT) it was confirmed she did have a shunt as well with MVD (confirmed by UT liver biopsy). If you can get to UT, I would recommend it. UT is very good at alleviating your concerns, answering questions, and dealing with overwhelmed worried Moms concerned about their pups! I stayed 4 days...I think normally most would stay 3 days. I had to stay an extra day because Gigi was very lethargic and would not eat post surgery. |
sugarpig - thank you so much your in depth response. There is actually no internist where we live, so regardless, we'd have to travel. I have decided I am going to take him to UT, my only concern is that I would not be able to get there until the very end of June. We'd be traveling from overseas so unfortunately it's not a quick trip. I really hope my little guy (who now seems perfectly fine and happy) will do well on the new diet/lactulose until we can do the trip. |
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