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Old 11-17-2006, 08:35 AM   #1
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Default Piper & Liver Shunt

We go in to a specialist next week for a ultra sound. She had blood work before being spayed, that's how the Vet caught it. We just had a Bile Acid test done & her levels are off the chart. I checked into insurance before, & this is not covered because it is considered hereditary. Has anyone had this to where the insurance covered it? Looks like this is quite common in Maltese & Yorkies. Piper being a Morkie, we didn't have a chance. She hasn't had any symptoms yet, so it looks like we caught it early. It's just so hard to believe how many have this problem.
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Old 11-17-2006, 09:03 AM   #2
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Cali had high but not off the chart Bile Acid results twice. She had the ultrasound which didn't show a external shunt so we had to have a Liver biopsy. She had it done while she was spayed and also they thought she had a intestinal blockage and was heat. SHe was diagnosed with a mild internal Liver shunt, MVD. I have VPI insurance and the bill was 2800.00 They only paid for the intestinal biopsy I think I was reimbursed 800.00 out of the 2800.00. The rest was denied as routine(spaying) and genetics(liver shunt) so they do not genrally cover and genetic condition. I hope you baby is OK.
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Old 11-17-2006, 09:55 AM   #3
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Default Derek's liver probs.

My Derek had a bile test come back high with a routine blood test as well. To make a very long and expensive story short, they had to to surgery to confirm what was actually wrong with him. They did NOT find a shunt, which was what they thought he had, given the breed tendencies. He actually has chronic hepatitis, origin unknown. He has been put on Denosyl and Immuran and his blood levels are back to normal...yeeaaahhhh!!!!!

Did you say she has been diagnosed for sure with the shunt? Did they correct it with the surgery, as they said they could with most when Derek had his surgery?

Like your baby, mine never showed symptoms either, until he got on the meds and it was like someone gave him back all his spunk. I had forgotten how much he liked to play!

I did not have insurance, so don't know about that. I just wanted to ask if she was better and make sure she definitely had a shunt. I hope she is better, and good luck with her treatment.
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Old 11-17-2006, 10:02 AM   #4
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Default correction on Derek's mom

okay, i just reread your message and see that she hasn't had the biopsy yet. We were supposed to have an ultrasound guided biopsy but had to have a surgical one when we got there because Derek's internal organs were too small. There is hope that she doesn't have a shunt at all. What Derek has is treatable with medication and food and he can still very probably live a full normal life. The costs have not been cheap, no doubt, but I love him and just have to suck it up (gave up my morning Starbucks to pay for it...totally worth it) Sorry insurance doesn't cover this stuff. I don't know where you live, but we went to Louisville's Metro Vet and they did a very good job for a lot less than IU was going to be. Shop around for price of the procedure and just check out the vets. Good luck to you.
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Old 11-17-2006, 01:22 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mistystradtner
okay, i just reread your message and see that she hasn't had the biopsy yet. We were supposed to have an ultrasound guided biopsy but had to have a surgical one when we got there because Derek's internal organs were too small. There is hope that she doesn't have a shunt at all. What Derek has is treatable with medication and food and he can still very probably live a full normal life. The costs have not been cheap, no doubt, but I love him and just have to suck it up (gave up my morning Starbucks to pay for it...totally worth it) Sorry insurance doesn't cover this stuff. I don't know where you live, but we went to Louisville's Metro Vet and they did a very good job for a lot less than IU was going to be. Shop around for price of the procedure and just check out the vets. Good luck to you.
I hope it could be something other than a shunt, We only have one place down here I was recommend to by our vet. Have an appointment for a consultation with a specialist next Tuesday.
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Old 11-17-2006, 02:45 PM   #6
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My daughter has a pom-mix who had a liver shunt. Our vet told us about a vet at the University of Tennessee who pioneered a new technique for liver shunts.
Most vets simply tie off the shunt, and the dog's liver can be overwhelmed by the sudden increase in blood flow. I was told the surgery had a 20-30% mortality rate.
The vets at UT use a thing this vet invented that closes off the vessel gradually, giving the dog's liver time to adjust to the increasing supply of blood.
It's been 2 weeks since Mo had his surgery, and he is doing great. His coat looks healthier, and he's finally putting on weight.
They did a CT scan on Mo to make the diagnosis before doing the surgery. He only weighs 2.8 pounds, so it wasn't a cake walk, but he did great. They warned me it might cost a lot if he had complications, but it turned out only costing 1400.00. My vet was amazed at how little it cost. He said they are doing a study, so the price is cheaper. They were great with Mo, and treated him so well.
I really hope this information is helpful. I hope your little one does well.
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Old 11-17-2006, 02:56 PM   #7
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I hope that everything goes well at the specialist. You and Piper are in my prayers
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Old 11-17-2006, 07:30 PM   #8
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My Gucci had liver shunt disease she was diagnosed in August and operated on. She had one exterheptic shunt, which was visible. They operated and place an ameroid constructor , what this constructor does is close the shunt slowly. She has MVD also but there is nothing that they can do for that. She was rechecked a few weeks ago and all of her bile levels are pretty normal. One is slightly elevated but the surgeon said sometimes it takes a year. She is was on laculotse but is off it now, she can go back on regular dog food, but I chose to keep her on the hills diet l/d for she is doing great, so why change it. She made a 100 percent improvement and I am so happy to have her back to herself. The surgery and the care was very expensive but she is worth it..

I wish your Piper luck , keep us posted ,Pm me with any questions if I can help in any way.
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Old 11-17-2006, 07:36 PM   #9
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OH I hope Piper is feeling better soon...I just love Piper and always have...

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Old 11-19-2006, 08:13 AM   #10
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Just make sure you suggest the other options and discuss the things you've learned, maybe you have something the docs didn't think about (not to upstage them, just to suggest...it's your right to be informed and involved in your baby's treatment, after all). My prayers are with you.
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