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Elevated Liver Enzyme I brought our Pixie in this morning to have her spayed. I just received a call from her vet that her pre op bloodwork revealed that her liver enzyme is double the normal range. Their going to do a second test (I forgot the name). We're postponing getting her spayed until we get the 2nd test results. Hopefully, everything is ok. |
Oh my....I sure hope everything works out. I'm not good at all these levels of "this and that's" quite yet, but am learning. There are many on here that are. I'm sure they'll have some great info/advice for you soon enough! |
Would this second test be called a bile acid test? That test indicates how well her liver is functioning....the results there will indicate whether additional testing is required to determine if she has a liver shunt. As a breed yorkies are 36 more times to have liver shunt than any other breed. Sending prayers for you and her. |
Oh no, I am glad you did the testing prior to surgery. I hope she is ok. |
dont despair Hi, I have three yorkies -- one is a dog with microvascular dysplasia (MVD) also known as microscopic liver shunts. Obviously, her liver enzymes are elevated all the time, along with high bile acids readings. However, I'm posting to say that my other adult yorkie who does NOT have liver issues has had elevated liver readings at veterinary visits that are due to laboratory error. I would have the liver values retested and the bile acids test run before you freak out. Good luck!:aimeeyork |
I just picked up Pixie from the vet. Her ALT shows 195. Everything else are normal. The second test is bile acid. I'm hoping it turns out normal. I appreciate your prayers guys. |
Hoping everything goes well for you guys... |
keep us posted! SOrry to hear the ALT is 195, that seems very high. Keep us posted on the bile acids results. |
Pixie's bile acid test came back. It reads resting bile acids at 118.7 and post prandial at 6.4. Our vet referred us to UC Davis where they would do a liver imaging with an approx cost of $700 (incl exam, hospital fee). If surgery is necessary, it would cost $3,000. It's now taking 1 1/2 weeks to get an appt with UC Davis. We are so devastated! We love Pixie and we are very concerned right now for her health! |
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UC Davis certainly is a good choice if you have to stay in CA but some people just decide that, because the University of Tennessee and Cornell are so experienced with this and UT is quite cheap, it is a better deal to just get it done out of state. University of Tennessee could likely do surgery (if required) and spay for under $1800. This may even include testing before. Dr. Tobias at UT is the leader in LS surgery anyway. They appear to have the least complications, so it may be considered the safest place along with Cornell. Since it is possible that there is no shunt, you could do a Protein C test first (blood test sent to Cornell) to see if it is likely. |
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Yes that post # of 118.7 is high, but it doesn't mean a definite Liver Shunt. She could have MVD. I suggest FIRST doing a Protein C test. This is a simple blood test. Costs about $80 to $100 from your General Vet. However, YOUR Vet has to contact Cornell University to get the tubes. And the blood draw has to be overnighted to Cornell. Results come back within a few days. A Protein C test is a pretty indicator of Liver Shunt. It reads in % Below 80% is pretty accurate for a Liver Shunt Above 80% is either MVD or Normal (can't really distinguish between them) An Ultrasound is good and bad. #1 it is only about 60-80% accurate is seeing a shunt. You won't see MVD though. It is good to see the size and shape of organs, and if there are any stones present. My advice is to do the Protein C test and go from there. NYS Animal Health Diagnostic Center at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine |
I live approx 25 miles from UC Davis so I believe that's one of the reasons why my vet recommended them. Ellie May, do you have any contact info for Dr. Tobias? I'm calling my vet now to inquire about the Protein C test. Thanks, TLC! I'll let you guys know. I really appreciate everyone's help. I can't think straight right now I'm so upset. You guys are definitely my lifeline. |
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As Crystal said, U of Tenn is truly the BEST and priced right, which would include EVERYTHING (spay too). Cornell is excellent as well, not sure of price though. The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine - Liver Shunt Research There are lots of folks here with LS who went to U of Tenn (and they were out of state too) |
Referrals Here is the info. Your vet would need to refer you. Then on the left side of the screen you can click on a tab that says "Small Animal Clinical" and then "Portosystemic Shunts" for some good reading material. I don't want to make it sound like UC Davis would be a bad choice though. They just don't seem to be one of the leaders in this. I can only say that if my dog was diagnosed with a shunt, I would want her to go to the UT or Cornell because I think they are the best. Bile acids can be up for any problem involving liver function though, so it may not be a shunt at all. |
I agree with the previous posters -- If you can get Pixie to UT for surgery (if she in fact needs surgery) then that is where you should go. If it is MVD, a trip to cornell might be the way to go. My dog with MVD has had very high bile acids depending on her diet, even higher than Pixie's pre reading. You have to know what you are dealing with exactly before getting upset. Lots of MVD and LS babies do very well on the proper diet after surgery. I'm sorry you have to go through this and we send Pixie yorkie hugs.:aimeeyork:aimeeyork:aimeeyork |
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