Ellie's Bile Acid Results are in Preprandial: I don't know Postprandial: 47 Vet consulted an internist and they said you can send her to us now or supplement for a month and retest. We are choosing option B since she doesn't really have symptoms. I am quite worried...................... Yorkieluv, where are you????????? Are we doing the right thing? |
Kiwi's bile acid results just came back elevated as well. Hers were a little higher than yours, in the 65 range after eating. We are driving down to Orange County to get a scan done with a nuclear isotope thing to see if she has a shunt or hepatic microvascular dysplasia. The vet and I are pretty sure she doesn't have shunt since she has no symptoms. But we both want to get the scan to be sure. It sounds as though your vet is giving you a good option of retesting since she doesn't have any active symptoms and her bile acid test is in the lower range. |
Now I am debating if we should just do the scan but I really don't want to. She has had a vaccine reaction and has trouble gaining weight. Those are really her only signs. Do you know if they anesthnetize for the ultrasound type tests? |
I am pretty sure they don't use anesthesia for either the ultrasound or the nuclear isotope scan. I think that they might give the dog a sedative if it moves enough that they can't take pictures. Does your vet think they can get a good picture of the shunt with ultrasound? My vet said that the ultrasound would be inconclusive because it is almost impossible to get a good picture of the shunt with ultrasound. That is why she is sending us to Orange County to get the nuclear isotope scan. |
No, the vet didn't say ultrasound (my mistake). She said imaging techniques. |
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Hmmm, Mistyinca, aren't you worried that there may be a shunt without further tests? I am not saying I think there is or that you are doing the wrong thing because I think it is probably fine, but without tests I will worry about it. I just don't want to go through all the testing if it isn't necessary. You know? |
Hi Ellie May!! Okay, this is just my opinion, but I would put her on "lower" chicken based or vegetarian based food for 1 month and give her supplements like milk thistle...Retest in 30 days. Don't give any vaccines or flea meds or anything like that within 2 weeks of her retest....If her levels are still off, then she probably has something going on, possibly MVD. Then you might want to do further testing...Either scintigraphy, portography, or liver biopsy... Don't waste your money on an ultrasound...it's inconclusive many times. |
When you say lower protein how much would that be. The RC LS 14 is 14% which seems a little low without symptoms. Avodern is 7-8%. I will not feed Natural Balance because of the recalls and I will not feed Science Diet because, well, I am one of those that thinks it's Science Death. Any ideas? Even with diet, if it is MVD the levels will stay up that high? What if the levels go down? Does that mean it is not MVD? The vet was also told by the specialist to deworm her just in case. She got her heartworm med 6 days before last test which I thought would be long enough to wait but maybe not... |
The RC Hepatic is actually 15.6% once you convert it to a dry matter basis, but you don't have to feed this if you don't want to. Avoderm Vegetarian canned is 7%, but again, it's tricky...It's not actually 7%...it's actually 26.9% once you convert it to a dry matter basis...The canned is NOT recommended....It was too much protein. Only the dry is recommended, which is 22% once you convert to a dry matter basis... I would NEVER recommend any Hill's products... 6 days was probably long enough to wait to do the test, but if you suspect that the higher levels were due to the heartworm meds, then make sure you wait longer... |
When I say lower protein, I mean under 22%...and not from any red meat sources like venison, lamb, or beef...Also, no turkey or duck because of the tryptophan. Here are the links to the info on Avoderm: http://www.breeders-choice.com/dog_p...og-dry-veg.htm http://www.breeders-choice.com/dog_p...ermdog_veg.htm |
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Also, I have the Royal Canin Hepatic LS 14. Chloe won't eat it. If you want to try it, I'd be happy to fill a ziploc and send you some to try before investing $30 in a bag. Just let me know! :) |
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Roxy's numbers were pre 43 and post 100.9 TJ's numbers were pre 5 and post 43 Roxy had a u/s and a full blood panel done yesterday with the Specialist. The u/s showed no shunt and her liver was of normal size and normal shape. Roxy's Doctor just called (Dr. Deborah Trainer, DVM, DACVIM at the Center for Specialized Vet Care, Westbury NY) We got the results back from these tests: Superchem/CBC - Urinalysis - Crystocentesis - Coagulation Prof 3 PT/PTT/PL She said her clotting times are normal. Her urine is normal, no signs of any crystals. No increase in liver values. Her CBC was normal (except 2 types of white blood cells or counts - can't remember exactly - something like: Monosite and Basofils - were slightly increased which says something about cronic inflammation) . I asked if her skin infection (since March) could have something to do with it and she said that's a possibility. But she isn't all to concerned about it. All in all she said that there's no indication in these results to lean towards a shunt, although, she could still have a shunt or she could just have a mild case of MVD. She wants me to bring Roxy back in next week to redo ALL the above tests and redo the BAT. Once we get those results, we can discuss whether it makes sense to do any further testing or just monitor with diet and supplements and maybe continue the meds (or not). In the meantime, she said to continue with the Metronidadole and Lactulose for Roxy. But to watch her this week to see if I can tell any change in her behavior, like is she more active and/or upbeat. Which she said would help decide 'if' she suggests continuing them or not. ** Now TJ - She considers #'s over 40 to be questionable. So she recommends we get the Superchem/CBC - Urinalysis - Crystocentesis - Coagulation Prof 3 PT/PTT/PL - and to do the BAT again. So, I think you should take Yorkieluv advice and go with a high quality low protein diet and add supplements and then re-test in a month. Keep us posted! |
Holy Moly, if Ellie's numbers were over 100 (over about 60 for that matter) I would be freaked. I think 47 is just too high for it to be "nothing" so I am really concerned. |
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