Thank you. I had some absolutely vital advice on YT that spurred me on. I don't think we'd be this close to finally helping him get the correct treatment without ya'll.

My Teddy's BATs were mildly elevated...we recently sent his biopsy out. We had not sent it right after his surgery. He does have some changes in his liver which is common with shunt dogs.

The vet nutritionist told me she does not do low protein....she advises moderate protein for MVD.

I agree with you and others. I would not be doing a biopsy. The only reason I did was because the sample was taken when the shunt was repaired.

If I could physically do a happy dance right now I would! :yay_jump:So happy no shunted and it seems like over all they did a pretty thorough exam of him internally. Not sure what MVD is so I will hit up the library on here and educate myself. I hope he recoups quickly from today...you, too!! In my thoughts and prayers!!! :love-hug3

Wonderful news for Tibbe and you! I am very, very happy for both of you.

Give your little guy a hug from me and the boys. :)

Kudos to you for your persistence in getting to the bottom of this, awesome job. With a management plan, you and Tibbe are going to have MANY more happy years together, he is so lucky to have you!

yay so glad that news was good! :)

I wrote a whole long reply to this last evening and poof - hit something and it was gone and I just gave up.

Anyway, does your nutritionist think low protein is bad for MVD dogs or that the dyplastic veins and the liver manage to filter the blood and accommodate protein better than dogs with frank shunts so the dog can have a higher-content protein diet? I'm not sure about GI-broken-down protein and ammonia or what all happens once the blood reaches the MVD'd liver. I'm still searching for that article(now searching online books on Google) that explains what those inadequate veins do and don't do at the microscopic level faced with a fresh milliliter of blood after a meal or drug is ingested. Anyway, I'll probably start slow with him and change over slowly to be sure he won't itch and see how he does with the vet recommendation or the internist's and then when I can afford it in a month or so, seek out a nutritionist.

Does it make a difference to your nutritionist whether the protein is animal or not?

Thank you all again and again for the good wishes! I was so afraid to give Tibbe that Metronidazole but apparently it sure has helped him. He bugged me for food all last night and I was too scared to give him more than 20 or so pieces at any time since the vet said feed him small increments for the rest of the day. But today he got to have his full breakfast and he wolfed it down, seems bright as a penny, alert and all that but still not a bouncing and cocky little beast who teases me all the time. He's probably a bit sore from yesterday so I don't expect him to be just normal quite yet. But he's barking and all - just not bounding off the back porch and dashing for the big tree and the squirrels at the back of the yard at warp speed or nagging me to do training all the time.

So glad that test is over and we're no longer facing that I keep smiling to myself. Thank you all for your prayers and many good thoughts about it. It couldn't have gone better and that Animal Imaging Center treated us like celebrities or something the entire time we were there. They were so nurturing and kind and solicitous. It's a magnificent place and the huge huge equestrian part of it is just enormous and top-notch everything.

Elle's nutritionist never made us do very low protein either.mReally deoends on the dog and the type of protein.

Your main focus will be to keep the food intolerances and allergies under control.

I don't delve into nutrition that deeply....I listen to her and do what she recommends. :)

I also had no reason to ask about other proteins. BUT because of his possible IBD which just came up recently, he is now on Hill's Z/D

I've heard of Hill's Z/D before. I would like him to be on lower protein than he is now with his Hill's I/D GI but I'll just have to see what the vet says tomorrow and then we'll go from there. Hope to get that nutritionist consult sooner rather than later and will right away, of course, if he's not doing well on whatever they change him to.

You could have your vet do a consult with the one I use....not sure what her fee is. I can ask for you if you are interested. I have been very happy with her. She has worked with me with four of my pups. My Cookie is doing fantastic thanks to her.

I've only experienced bad itching in a dog when he was briefly on RC GI but it was nothing compared to what he had last week for two nights! I would do ANYTHING to help him avoid that again.

Ellie gets that. Then on the foods she doesn't itch she is either extremely intolerant, gets esophageal irritation, or can't keep weight on. So we literally have like one food choice.:rolleyes:

BTW, always remember that rx foods can be sent back for a refund.

Z/D is a great food. Ellie tanked on it though. :(
She can't eat meat..even hydrolyzed.

That is great news no liver shunt!!! I am so happy, I love good news!!!:bravo::bravo::cheer:

Jeanie, I wanted to let you know that I am glad that you have found something that can help Tibbe! What a relief, she is one lucky puppy. I'm still praying!!

Jeanie what a difference a week makes. Last week we all were praying for you and Tibbe and now a week later things look so much better. Sounds like this is an awesome place to take animals to for tests. I was impressed with everything they checked.

Great news! My dog Daisy has MVD and I can tell you that her ultrasound findings were very abnormal -- small liver, underdeveloped portal vein system, etc.

She has been managed very well since 2006 on a moderate protein diet. We currently home cook and use Purina HA to address additional nutritional issues. I use Dr Rebecca Remillard as a nutritionist for her needs.

Hate to hear that she was so bad but dogs like Daisy are an inspiration that these sick little dogs can still make it and live well! Does she have to take that lactulose? I'm going to be reading some of your past threads about her. My eyes are falling out from reading so much and trying to get a good handle on all of this. I wish I knew how to cut down the glare from the computer screen in Windows 7. It just gets to my eyes and they see double and hurt.

I need a tablet. Easier than lugging this laptop around. And my touchpad is driving me crazy - cursor will just react crazily jumping all over when trying to move the cursor only a bit or just sit there. I wonder if it feels overused and is just tired. Laptop not quite 2 years old.

Very good news that Tibbe doesn't have a shunt...your momma instincts were right on, you knew that something was off w/him & you got the help he needed! Bravo Jeanie, best wishes for Tibbe!:hug:

Jeanie, I'm so happy to see your precious Tibbe is feeling better today. :) Praying that with the proper diet, Tibbe will be back to his bouncy cocky little self in no time! Sending (((Hugs))) to both of you. ;)

So many of our hearts feel so much lighter and really uplifted hearing that Tibbe is feeling and doing better. Your precious Tibbe has touched so many hearts, and so have you, Jeanie. I am confident that Tibbe is going to feel much better because he has a mom who is so loving and devoted to her little boy. I am also confident that you will find the right diet for him and that your animated little sweetheart will continue to thrive under your loving care. Be well and happy, Tibbe and Jeanie.

I couldn't agree more!

Here I am checking on precious little Tibbe! I am thrilled that he is doing well. Have a great day with him!

LOL. Thanks for asking - still happy over yesterday. Tibbe had a great day yesterday but I was nauseated all day so we didn't get to the vet, R/S for Monday. His vet called just before 6:00 pm and checked on us. Tibbe is eating like a pig again, chasing squirrels, bounding off the porch at 99% of his old speed and warting me to train and play with his toys with him. I finally did let him do 6 little jumps yesterday, two rollovers, the a couple of all his other tricks, a few Hi-5's and he didn't get nauseated afterward or anything - just teased and demanded we train some more but we didn't. Made him rest and he wasn't that happy with me. It's pretty hard to keep him down but he's finishing up his Metronidazole so I don't want him doing lots of activities. Plus, he just had that anesthesia and a needle in his spleen Wednesday so want to keep him dialed back through the weekend. He sleeps well, only scratches very, very occasionally where his tummy and part of his flank were shaved for the testing though it has never been reddened there or anything. All in all I don't think he could be doing any better! And he spends his days in the sunny den window watching all the activities in the back yard or in the living room window watching all the comings and goings there.

Thank goodness last night a cat came visiting and he barked for two hours off and on as the cat lolled around on the porch teasing him and came to the den frequently, hot fire in his eyes, to bark to me and tell me all about it and I had to go look of course each time. He had the time of his life watching and barking at that cat just on the other side of the glass, even clawing at the glass occasionally wanting to get out there. All that hardy barking sounded like music to my ears as it's all so normal Tibbe behavior. :)

I hope you are feeling better today, Jeanie. You are such a wonderful mommy to pursue every avenue and find out what was ailing that precious little bundle of smiling fur. I am beginning to breathe easier, knowing that Tibbe is progressing, and getting better every day. I am dancing with joy that the diagnoses in not liver shunt, but I do wish that you both didn't have to go through such a rough time. Sending love to you both.

Oh I am so glad Tibbe is his playful cute self again! I hope you will be better soon. Enjoy your beautiful little Yorkie, he is the cutest!

So glad your baby's on the mend. It makes ALL of us feel better!

Thank you so much. Another great day for Tibbe which was a perfect Mother's Day gift though my headcold has moved right on through me and except for Tibbs doing so well, it was a crampy day. Hopefully we can both be well tomorrow. Hope all YT'ers had a great Mother's Day with your fur and skin babies. Hugs your babies.