Bile acid test for liver shunt... should I?
 

Riley is 14 wks old. She weighs only 1 lb 10 oz. For the most part, she is an active puppy. She had problems with hypoglycemia when we brought her home at just under 11 weeks. One episode yesterday as well. We supplement with Nutri-Cal, but she doesn't eat much. I offer food several times a day, but in total she probably eats about 30 pieces of Nutro Natural puppy food per day. I know her tummy is small, but is that enough?

It was suggested to me on here that she have a bile acid test for liver shunt. I've done some research on symptoms: small stature, poor appetite, head pressing, increased drinking and urinating, balance problems, etc.

Riley is tiny, doesn't eat much at all, rubs her head constantly on things, will drink a ton some days, pees all the time, etc.

BUT here are my thoughts: Maybe she's just supposed to be tiny, many Yorkies puppies on here seem to have appetite issues, she does have a bit of dandruff on her head (and it's winter), maybe she's just super thirsty from playing and kennel time, her bladder is small, she only has balance issues during a hypoglycemic episode.

So, what I'm saying is she has a lot of symptoms, but I can just as easily chalk them up to normal things in a puppy's life.

What do you all think?

bile acid
 

Bile acid before 6 months can be a crap shoot...a gamble to its accuracy..but I would have one done and then again at 6 months. Best wishes

Have you seen a vet at all with Reily yet? Did they test for Giardia? That will cause her not to eat much. Along with other symtoms. When Piper was going in to get fixed. The Vet did blood work pre surgery. Her enzymes were up. Later she scheduled for an bile acid test. Tested high for liver shunt. Went to a specialist got an ultrasound, he couldn't see anything. Went to another specialist for a second oppinion. Couldn't find anything. Right now we are watching what we feed her. Going again in 6 months for another bile acid test. Piper had cocidia, & giardia when we got her from the breeder. After 3 weeks of antibiotics she was fine. I still think that had something to do with her liver being off.
PS I see you live in Kanas, did you get her there? I got Piper in Kanas.

Cali had her test at about 6 months after 3 episodes of hypoglycemia and poor eating habits. She then had a liver biopsy that showed a small internal shunt that doesn't require treatment other than I keep her protein intake down some. They kept her on an IV when they did her tests because she had to fast fpr 12 hours and they wanted to monitor her so if you do have it done make sure they watch her during her fast. Good luck I hope she's fine. Cali was 1 lb ar 10 weeks and now ar 1 1/2 years is 5 lbs

This sounds almost like my Bobo. at 14 weeks he weighed 2lbs. He had a few hypoglycemic epsiodes they became more frequent in 3 days he had 2 episodes. He did not have a lot of the signs of a liver shunt, but I could tell that something was different, everyone in my familythought he was fine. I am so glad that someone on here suggested that we see the dr and get a bile acid test, they did his without fasting and they were elevated and so began our struggle. after much debate on if to do the surgery and then where to do the surgery it is all behind us now, he is 5 days post op now and doing well. The test will run about $100.00 or around there. keep an eye on her weight, he has not gained any weight in 5 weeks and he is only a little over 5 months. Tammy