UPDATE: Roxy's Liver Levels

[lara2913]

Oh no you must be going through torture, I will be praying for Roxy

[Patti]

Cali can take antihistimines but they do not want her on steroids unless really necessary due to the MVD

[mistyinca]

I'm sorry to hear this.

Chloe's tests recently came back high too. hers were pre 210 and post 52.

As far as finding food. All I can say is good luck. Chloe won't eat any of the special food. If you'd like to try the Royal Canin hepatic LS, let me know and I'll be happy to fill a ziploc and send you some.

Like you mentioned with yours, my Chloe does not have any symptoms, so we are holding off on the ultrasound because I was told that the ultrasound often cannot detect the mulitple smaller shunts. So they will then tell you you'll need to get a biopsy. Also, my understanding is that if it is MVD, rather than a single shunt (which it probably is since the post number is not over 100) that it cannot be corrected with surgery anyway. Basically, the treatment is special diet and lactulose.

So I'm holding off on further tests unless she has any signs. For now, she is happy, healthy, energetic. Her only thing is that she has a poor appetite and is thinner than she should be--but not emaciated. Lately, she has been eating better on Eukanuba--not my first choice for food, but when your dog eats so poorly that she loses weight, then does well on this, you change your mind about foods. She had been on Royal Canin puppy 33, and I heard form some other lists that it is a coincidence that dogs are having high BAT levels when they eat this and the yorkshire formula.

I hope this helps, and at least helps ease your worrying a little.

[TLC]

Originally Posted by Patti

Cali can take antihistimines but they do not want her on steroids unless really necessary due to the MVD

Oh thanks! I just saw the Vet lastnight. He knows that Roxy was taking benedryl and on Monday when I dropped them off for the BAT I requested the Hydroxyzine b/c Roxy kept spitting up the liquid C.B. - so he is aware that she is taking it. Plus I asked if the results could have been thrown off b/c of the C.B. and he said NO. - I just wish that I asked if she can continu the Hydroxyzine. I'm sure he would have said Yes, but I just forgot to ask

[TLC]

Originally Posted by mistyinca

I'm sorry to hear this.

Chloe's tests recently came back high too. hers were pre 210 and post 52.

As far as finding food. All I can say is good luck. Chloe won't eat any of the special food. If you'd like to try the Royal Canin hepatic LS, let me know and I'll be happy to fill a ziploc and send you some.

Like you mentioned with yours, my Chloe does not have any symptoms, so we are holding off on the ultrasound because I was told that the ultrasound often cannot detect the mulitple smaller shunts. So they will then tell you you'll need to get a biopsy. Also, my understanding is that if it is MVD, rather than a single shunt (which it probably is since the post number is not over 100) that it cannot be corrected with surgery anyway. Basically, the treatment is special diet and lactulose.

So I'm holding off on further tests unless she has any signs. For now, she is happy, healthy, energetic. Her only thing is that she has a poor appetite and is thinner than she should be--but not emaciated. Lately, she has been eating better on Eukanuba--not my first choice for food, but when your dog eats so poorly that she loses weight, then does well on this, you change your mind about foods. She had been on Royal Canin puppy 33, and I heard form some other lists that it is a coincidence that dogs are having high BAT levels when they eat this and the yorkshire formula.

I hope this helps, and at least helps ease your worrying a little.

For now I am reluctant to feed any type of Vet Pres. Premade Kibble. I just can not bring myself to feed them it. Plus, there's NO WAY in hell they would agree to eat it anyway. I used to home cook for them, then we went to a Raw Frozen diet - which they LOVE, and I happen to think that Raw is best for dogs...BUT...I must think of their liver issues first. So for now, no more Raw.

This morning for breakfast they had 1/2 Organic Brown Egg with 1/4 tsp. of alfalfa powder and 1/4 tsp. of kelp powder (both organic) fried in Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. They each had 1 tsp. of Organic Low Fat Cottage Cheese and a few small pieces of dried papaya and dried cranberries. They ate it all up!

I am going shopping after work to get the ingredients for Dr. Dodd's Liver Cleanse Diet and some liquid milk thistle.

I am going through with the Doppler Unltrasound for Roxy first. My view of the classic symptoms of LS and MVD are not exactly true.
I found this:
Dogs with HMD can present with signs similar to dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts; however, many dogs have no clinical signs at all. Often affected dogs are 3 to 4 years old before they have clinical signs. Some affected dogs are smaller than normal, with poor muscle development. They may seem less intelligent or quieter because of the toxins that depress their brains.

Roxy and TJ are just over 2.5 yrs. old. Roxy is half the height of TJ, and she does have very poor muscle tone. She also has severe anxiety at times, she goes into these panic fits where she'll lap the house over and over and over. And for the most part Roxy it very quite, shy, docile. I can't get her to focus to do any type of commands. She's not stupid by far, b/c she knows a lot, but I can't get her to focus to do tricks, other than "Give me a kiss".

Anyway, I need to know something of what we are dealing with.

Thank you for your support. I hope all works out for Chloe too, please keep me informed of her

[Yorkieluv]

TLC, I totally agree with you for not wanting to feed prescription food...There's no need when there are soooo many alternatives that are safe for liver compromised dogs...You just have to make sure and add in certain supplements to their diet. Also, at UT Dr. Susan Lauten will come up with a recipe for your dog based on his nutritional needs. She asks for all previous bloodwork, BAT, everything so that she can come up with something for your dog specifically.
Not all dogs show all symptoms of LS/MVD...For example, one of the symptoms is being underweight or smaller...Well, my yorkie is 11lbs, and I wouldn't say that he is a "smaller" yorkie....

[TLC]

Well, Miko is far from the 'norm' when it comes to MVD. Poor fella. But he's got a great Momma to take care of him

[Yorkieluv]

Thanks

[yorkieusa]

I'm sorry the levels were high. I know you've probably already done this, but in case you were upset and didn't think of it I wanted to remind you to do a search on here. Remember that we've had lots of discussions in the past about this and I'm certain food was mentioned and perhaps some of the experience may help you. Good luck to you and we're sending our prayers your way, too.

[jeanief]

I just want to say I am so sorry for what you and your babies have already gone through. You are such a great mom and your dogs are very lucky to have you as a owner !! Does the breeder know about your dogs and the other guy with a dog from the same parents and all the problems? Please keep us updated when the ultrasound is done. TAKE CARE

[TLC]

Originally Posted by jeanief

I just want to say I am so sorry for what you and your babies have already gone through. You are such a great mom and your dogs are very lucky to have you as a owner !! Does the breeder know about your dogs and the other guy with a dog from the same parents and all the problems? Please keep us updated when the ultrasound is done. TAKE CARE

Thank you.

Hahahaha - does the Breeder Know

Take a look here. The Breeder has come on board this thread starting at Post #29 (Brylaur).

She has yet to mention any type of concern or sympathy regarding the BAT levels, up coming ultrasound and any possible surgery regarding a Liver Shunt or MVD as a possible outcome!

The Breeder is a real winner that's for sure

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...t=54637&page=2

Look for yourself

[Yorkiekids]

I'm sorry things aren't going well. Will keep prayers coming.

[chachi]

I am sorry Roxys levels were so high. Ill be praying for her