abnormal Bile Acid, info needed please - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Ellie May · 05-12-2008, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjh

So what you are saying is the Protein C will just rule out an external shunt but will not rule out MVD?

Yes.

If the numbers come back in one range the dog most likely has a large shunt.
If the numbers come back in the normal range they could have MVD.
If the bile acids are high and either a large shunt or MVD is suspected, this will help distinguish which one...

Of course, like any test, it isn't 100% accurate.

tippielou · 05-12-2008, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Bile acid testing is the best way to screen.
Any vet who can draw blood should be able to do a Protein C test.
If the numbers are in one range it is indicative of MVD and if the numbers are in another it is indicative of shunt. The range that the numbers fall in to suggest MVD are also the "normal" range I believe. So dogs with large shunts have abnormal Protein C numbers. If the number came back in normal range you wouldn't know if the dog has MVD or is normal. That is why the BAT is used...

Thanks for sharing that information. I was wondering why do the BAT if the Protein C will be a step closer to a diagnosis. But, your statement clarified that for me.

yorkielovs2chat · 05-13-2008, 05:36 PM

Belinda,

I have a yorkie that I bought from a show breeder in Connecticut. He has multiple external shunts and is on diet and meds and doing great (except for bladder problems since bladder surgery). I have met others with MVD and/or external shunts and they are doing well on diet. Don't get me wrong, I was horrified with the first diagnosis and was very angry to have paid $1600 to a breeder for a dog that 1 1/2 years later had a genetic condition, but now I have calmed down and can see that as long as I feed him properly, we will be fine.

belindaY · 05-14-2008, 08:26 AM

This is amazing. Puppy is 7 mos, bat is 48 and taken 1 month after 2nd lepto shot, the rest of the blood work is normal except possibly platelet count--402--don't know if that immune system or even noteworthy. When an ultrasound report says "appears to be large vein.." doesn't that leave a lot of doubt when the bat is so low? This vet is so anxious to go to surgery it's scary. Anyway, I'm trying to get to a major place where they see a lot of these cases.

janet77 · 05-14-2008, 08:38 AM

I Really suggest you look at this website, it is from the University of Tennesee, wher Dr Tobias is, she invented the corrective surgery and deciates her life to yorkies with liver shunts and MVD, I took the trip out there to see her, THE BEST!!!

The University of Tennessee - College of Veterinary Medicine - Portosystemic Shunts

Bile acids are only indicators of liver /gall bladder problems , but usually in yorkies it id due to a liver shunt or MVD (microvascular dysplasia).

As far as the breeder, do you get a health garantee(contract signed?) If not there might not be much you can do

Sunnie · 05-15-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by belindaY

I've decided to postpone Tuesday's surgery while I do more investigating. We're looking at BAT of 1 pre and 48 post and an u/s report that says "appears to be a large shunt." I would expect a large shunt to return a bat over 100. And that word "appears" on the report seems too uncertain to open up a tiny dog to look around. AND, the prognosis they gave me is lousy---meds and diet for life. Seems to me we can do that without the surgery. This vet is with a VCA hospital chain. Is anyone familiar with them? Somebody said sometimes these big corporations put a lot of pressure on their vets to bring in the revenues, and liver shunt surgery is a big ticket item. Very disturbing-

I agree about the vet being part of VCA.. My vet is as well, and as much as I like my vet, it seems like it is money, money, money. There is another really good vet here in town that I think I am changing to and they do offer 24 hour emergency service where my current vet does not.

YorkieSue · 05-16-2008, 07:50 AM

Please, please, please get a second and third opinion before you allow surgery. You have gotten some wonderful advice from the gals on this site and I have nothing to add other than 48 truly isn't that high a reading so there is no emergency here yet. Please, get that second opinion and delay the surgery UNLESS you baby is in dire straights. Otherwise you have TIME to get YOUR HEAD TOGETHER and get your little one examined by one or two others. My prayers are with you on this one but I implore you to NOT RUSH INTO ANY SURGERY AT ALL until you get that second opinion from a respected specialist. Where do you live? In NY, there is the Animal Medical Center (AMC) where they have the best specialists in the country and THERE YOU WOULD GET MAXIMUM EDUCATION AND HELP FOR YOUR LITTLE ONE. THEY ARE FABULOUS.

Please keep us informed. I wish you so much of the very best. YorkieSue

05-14-2008, 08:38 AM	#20
janet77 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: chicago Posts: 11	Liver shunt info.... I Really suggest you look at this website, it is from the University of Tennesee, wher Dr Tobias is, she invented the corrective surgery and deciates her life to yorkies with liver shunts and MVD, I took the trip out there to see her, THE BEST!!! The University of Tennessee - College of Veterinary Medicine - Portosystemic Shunts Bile acids are only indicators of liver /gall bladder problems , but usually in yorkies it id due to a liver shunt or MVD (microvascular dysplasia). As far as the breeder, do you get a health garantee(contract signed?) If not there might not be much you can do

05-16-2008, 07:50 AM	#22
YorkieSue Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NY Posts: 96	Liver Shunt Surgery Please, please, please get a second and third opinion before you allow surgery. You have gotten some wonderful advice from the gals on this site and I have nothing to add other than 48 truly isn't that high a reading so there is no emergency here yet. Please, get that second opinion and delay the surgery UNLESS you baby is in dire straights. Otherwise you have TIME to get YOUR HEAD TOGETHER and get your little one examined by one or two others. My prayers are with you on this one but I implore you to NOT RUSH INTO ANY SURGERY AT ALL until you get that second opinion from a respected specialist. Where do you live? In NY, there is the Animal Medical Center (AMC) where they have the best specialists in the country and THERE YOU WOULD GET MAXIMUM EDUCATION AND HELP FOR YOUR LITTLE ONE. THEY ARE FABULOUS. Please keep us informed. I wish you so much of the very best. YorkieSue

05-13-2008, 05:36 PM	#18
yorkielovs2chat Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: ME Posts: 61	Belinda, I have a yorkie that I bought from a show breeder in Connecticut. He has multiple external shunts and is on diet and meds and doing great (except for bladder problems since bladder surgery). I have met others with MVD and/or external shunts and they are doing well on diet. Don't get me wrong, I was horrified with the first diagnosis and was very angry to have paid $1600 to a breeder for a dog that 1 1/2 years later had a genetic condition, but now I have calmed down and can see that as long as I feed him properly, we will be fine.

05-14-2008, 08:26 AM	#19
belindaY Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: redmond Posts: 132	This is amazing. Puppy is 7 mos, bat is 48 and taken 1 month after 2nd lepto shot, the rest of the blood work is normal except possibly platelet count--402--don't know if that immune system or even noteworthy. When an ultrasound report says "appears to be large vein.." doesn't that leave a lot of doubt when the bat is so low? This vet is so anxious to go to surgery it's scary. Anyway, I'm trying to get to a major place where they see a lot of these cases.