liver shunt and leptospirosis vaccine

[katelin]

Originally Posted by Yorkieluv

OR a scintigraphy, but it's more costly.

It is my understanding that UC Davis in California relies on the Scintigraphy to diagnose Liver Shunt. Correct me if I'm wrong, but they use a dye and can watch the blood move through or around the liver to prove there is a shunt. Sonograms are not certain diagnostic tools.

And Yes! Vets do open up little puppies and come back and say "Whoops, not Liver Shunt". There is a post on another site about a person who had two puppies opened up and neither one of them had liver shunt!!! Now they are dealing with effects of surgery and anesthetic, etc. Such unnecessary trauma.

Vets are no different than other people. Some are smarter and more talented than others. They aren't all motivated by a love of dogs. You gotta go with your gut reaction to your vet and study up yourself so you can be an effective advocate for your little babies when they need us.

Wishing you the very best of luck.

[magicgenie]

Thanks, Katelin & Yorkieluv, My SO just returned from reviewing the records with our regular vet. We're actually trying to help out an out-of-town relative who is having this puppy problem. Ours is a mature, seasoned general practice kind of vet. He thought a BAT of 52.9 post was not high enough to go into surgery with, regardless of the iffy ultrasound result. He also stated he never vaccinates toy breeds for lepto; too much evidence of it causing problems rather than preventing, including liver impairment. His recommendation is repeat the BAT in a few weeks with a different vet. I'll also recommend using one of the more sophisticated tests if BAT indicates it is needed. Thanks again.

[MyFairLacy]

I think my next step would be a Scintigraphy as it should give you a much better idea if there is a shunt or not

[Yorkieluv]

Originally Posted by katelin

It is my understanding that UC Davis in California relies on the Scintigraphy to diagnose Liver Shunt. Correct me if I'm wrong, but they use a dye and can watch the blood move through or around the liver to prove there is a shunt. Sonograms are not certain diagnostic tools.

Yes, a scintigraphy is used to diagnose liver shunt, but it requires anesthesia. I agree that a scintigraphy is very important, but
Dr. Center who is one of the leaders in liver shunt does a test called a Protein C test which basically measures the portal blood flow. It *helps* determine if the dog has MVD or liver shunt. This does not require anesthesia and is basically just bloodwork.

[katelin]

Interesting. Do you know how the Protein C test measures the portal blood flow? I'm just wondering how the portal blood flow can be separated from the other blood flow. usually blood is taken from the neck vein, is this different on a Protein C test??

Whatever other information you have would be appreciated.

[magicgenie]

Originally Posted by katelin

Interesting. Do you know how the Protein C test measures the portal blood flow? I'm just wondering how the portal blood flow can be separated from the other blood flow. usually blood is taken from the neck vein, is this different on a Protein C test??

Whatever other information you have would be appreciated.

I've seen refences to the Protein C test and wondered what it looked for and now how it relates to portal blood flow---sorry to be so ignorant; my dogs are causing me to learn medical things I never thought I'd want to know about.

[yorkielovs2chat]

Originally Posted by Yorkieluv

If there is an extrahepatic shunt, it needs to be repaired. Ameroid constrictor is the method of choice.

I totally agree!

[Yorkieluv]

Originally Posted by katelin

Interesting. Do you know how the Protein C test measures the portal blood flow? I'm just wondering how the portal blood flow can be separated from the other blood flow. usually blood is taken from the neck vein, is this different on a Protein C test??

Whatever other information you have would be appreciated.

Here's some info from Cornell's website about the test.
Comparative Coagulation -- NYS Animal Health Diagnostic Center

[shesadoll]

Hello, I'm new to this site and after reading many different and interesting subjects on Yorkies I have a couple of questions. We have a 19 week old male Yorkie with a bat indicating liver disease. We had his sister also tested and our vet said she was o.k.. her bat was well within range before eating, after eating was 44. She was slightly higher than normal range of 30. Does this indicate anything at all? We are very concerned and I had to request tests because I knew something was wrong, not the vet. Should we pursue more testing? Any help would be appreciated.

[TLC]

Originally Posted by shesadoll

Hello, I'm new to this site and after reading many different and interesting subjects on Yorkies I have a couple of questions. We have a 19 week old male Yorkie with a bat indicating liver disease. We had his sister also tested and our vet said she was o.k.. her bat was well within range before eating, after eating was 44. She was slightly higher than normal range of 30. Does this indicate anything at all? We are very concerned and I had to request tests because I knew something was wrong, not the vet. Should we pursue more testing? Any help would be appreciated.

Can you tell us a little more?

What was the BAT results on your male? What 'odd' behaviors does he display? Did they have any shots, heartworm or flea/tick meds before the BAT?

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by shesadoll

Hello, I'm new to this site and after reading many different and interesting subjects on Yorkies I have a couple of questions. We have a 19 week old male Yorkie with a bat indicating liver disease. We had his sister also tested and our vet said she was o.k.. her bat was well within range before eating, after eating was 44. She was slightly higher than normal range of 30. Does this indicate anything at all? We are very concerned and I had to request tests because I knew something was wrong, not the vet. Should we pursue more testing? Any help would be appreciated.

Your Yorkies are a bit too young for the bile acids test to be 100% accurate.
I would say that if no meds were given to the female a week or two before and her post was 44, there may be a problem like microvascular dysplasia. Liver problems can't be ruled out with that number.