Logan's Latest Bile Acid Test Results - YorkieTalk.com Forums

puppy_Love08 · 08-19-2008, 06:17 PM

Awhile back I posted about a potential problem with Logan. The vet thought he might have a liver shunt, so we put him on a special diet and started giving him Lactulose. A bile acids retest a couple of months ago showed improved levels, although they were still slightly elevated.

Yesterday Logan had another bile acids test, and his results were PRE-MEAL - 10.2 (normal is less than 10); POST-MEAL - 71 (normal is less than 20). The vet talked to someone who is an expert in liver shunts, and they didn't think we have anything to worry about. She thinks it's more than likely MVP and doesn't recommend testing any further unless Logan starts to exhibit symptoms (which he never has). We are relieved and encouraged. The vet said we don't have to continue feeding him a special diet or giving him the Lactulose, but she recommended we do it anyway. So we are.

Logan is still small - only 3.3 pounds, and he's a little over a year old.

He is finally ringing the bell to go ouside, but he does it when he just wants to play, too!

Nancy1999 · 08-19-2008, 06:45 PM

Great news about Logan, I'm so glad to hear that, poor little guy's been through a lot. I think you're smart for staying with the diet, and really hope he continues to do well. Great news about him learning to ring the bell. Joey does it more when he wants to go outside and bark at other dogs than when he wants to pee because we also use pads. I didn't realize Logan was so small, he's a real cutie.

LAngle · 08-19-2008, 06:56 PM

Best wishes to Logan, try not to worry too much. He's adorable!

Jokerman · 08-19-2008, 07:13 PM

I'm so happy you got good results on Logan's tests. What a relief for you!

And how cool he is ringing the bell to go outside. I am going to start training my puppy to ring a bell too, as he doesn't bark to go outside, and is not yet alerting me when he needs to go potty. Thanks for the reminder to set the bells up tonight!

xxmxaxrxyxx · 08-19-2008, 08:44 PM

great to hear!

Mom to Hot Rod · 08-19-2008, 09:14 PM

Great news, you must be so relieved. I am glad that he is letting you know he wants to go out with the bell.

puppy_Love08 · 08-21-2008, 10:34 AM

Is there any way to curb the bell ringing just for potty time instead of him wanting to go out for ANY reason?

Nancy1999 · 08-21-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puppy_Love08

Is there any way to curb the bell ringing just for potty time instead of him wanting to go out for ANY reason?

I don't know of any way, you could just not open the door, if you don't think it's time, but I always open it for him, and he mainly uses the pee pad. I just figure if it's important enough for them to ring the bell, it's important. They are trying to communicate that with us, and I think we should listen.

Hannah3183 · 08-21-2008, 01:55 PM

Wow - my pup had similar bile acid results...
She's on a prescription diet too (Hills ID) What's yours on?
I really want to find a better food for her, but yet something her liver can still handle.

Mine also rings the bell to go outside and play...
I tried using two seperate leashes so she could associate one with going to potty and one to go on a walk/play. However, it didn't really work too well....and I got lazy and kept using my favorite leash.

puppy_Love08 · 08-21-2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannah3183

Wow - my pup had similar bile acid results...
She's on a prescription diet too (Hills ID) What's yours on?
I really want to find a better food for her, but yet something her liver can still handle.

Mine also rings the bell to go outside and play...
I tried using two seperate leashes so she could associate one with going to potty and one to go on a walk/play. However, it didn't really work too well....and I got lazy and kept using my favorite leash.

Logan was on Hill's K/D because it was lower in fat than the L/D. However, the L/D is specifically formulated for liver-challenged dogs, so I switched him to that. I'm going to keep him on this food because he obviously has some kind of compromised liver.

08-19-2008, 06:17 PM	#1
puppy_Love08 YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: AL Posts: 465	Logan's Latest Bile Acid Test Results Awhile back I posted about a potential problem with Logan. The vet thought he might have a liver shunt, so we put him on a special diet and started giving him Lactulose. A bile acids retest a couple of months ago showed improved levels, although they were still slightly elevated. Yesterday Logan had another bile acids test, and his results were PRE-MEAL - 10.2 (normal is less than 10); POST-MEAL - 71 (normal is less than 20). The vet talked to someone who is an expert in liver shunts, and they didn't think we have anything to worry about. She thinks it's more than likely MVP and doesn't recommend testing any further unless Logan starts to exhibit symptoms (which he never has). We are relieved and encouraged. The vet said we don't have to continue feeding him a special diet or giving him the Lactulose, but she recommended we do it anyway. So we are. Logan is still small - only 3.3 pounds, and he's a little over a year old. He is finally ringing the bell to go ouside, but he does it when he just wants to play, too!

08-19-2008, 06:45 PM	#2
Nancy1999 I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 25,396 Blog Entries: 2	Great news about Logan, I'm so glad to hear that, poor little guy's been through a lot. I think you're smart for staying with the diet, and really hope he continues to do well. Great news about him learning to ring the bell. Joey does it more when he wants to go outside and bark at other dogs than when he wants to pee because we also use pads. I didn't realize Logan was so small, he's a real cutie. __________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals

08-19-2008, 06:56 PM	#3
LAngle Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 51	Best wishes to Logan, try not to worry too much. He's adorable! __________________ Lynn & SOPHIE

08-19-2008, 08:44 PM	#5
xxmxaxrxyxx Missing Yoshi Everyday! Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 15,110 Blog Entries: 3	great to hear! __________________ Yoshi Mei Ling Ting Ting Ting Ki Sun Hye Yukio Kioshi

08-19-2008, 09:14 PM	#6
Mom to Hot Rod Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MD Posts: 10,908	Great news, you must be so relieved. I am glad that he is letting you know he wants to go out with the bell. __________________ www.kissecollar.com Soft Cone Collars for Post-surgery and much more! 10% (non-food) - Discount code YT10

08-19-2008, 07:13 PM	#4
Jokerman Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: OK Posts: 136	I'm so happy you got good results on Logan's tests. What a relief for you! And how cool he is ringing the bell to go outside. I am going to start training my puppy to ring a bell too, as he doesn't bark to go outside, and is not yet alerting me when he needs to go potty. Thanks for the reminder to set the bells up tonight!

08-21-2008, 10:34 AM	#7
puppy_Love08 YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: AL Posts: 465	Is there any way to curb the bell ringing just for potty time instead of him wanting to go out for ANY reason?

08-21-2008, 01:55 PM	#9
Hannah3183 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Nashville Posts: 169	Wow - my pup had similar bile acid results... She's on a prescription diet too (Hills ID) What's yours on? I really want to find a better food for her, but yet something her liver can still handle. Mine also rings the bell to go outside and play... I tried using two seperate leashes so she could associate one with going to potty and one to go on a walk/play. However, it didn't really work too well....and I got lazy and kept using my favorite leash.