[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

After you post the bile acids results, we will be able to help you more.
If it is MVD, she won't need surgery.
Did they see a shunt on the ultrasound?
If you are ever worried about her urine, she should go to the vet for a urinalysis.
I think UT's success rate is 85% but there can be problems years later and this surgery isn't that old, so I don't think we can say what might happen years down the road. Dogs with MVD can lead normal lives if they are on the right protocol. If you want to skip the surgery if it is liver shunt, the prognosis wouldn't be as good. However, that is something I'd want to talk to the vets at UT about. They can help you make the decision. Whatever you decide to do and whether it is LS or MVD, when it needs to be managed forever or for the time being with diet and supplements, the management is the same. It just depends on symptoms.

Lactulose 3x per day should be given. The amount given should be altered to produce two soft but formed stools.

SAMe should be given everyday. For dogs 12 pounds and under, the 90mg pill is given. The pill should never be crushed and has to be given an hour before eating. You can give Vetri DMG instead but most vets don't know about it. It comes in liquid, is cheaper and can be given with food.

Milk thistle is excellent as well. I just give one from a vitamin shop. The dose is 10% of an adult human's dose for a 5 pound dog and 15% of an adult human's dose for a 15 pound dog. An adult human's dose is about 400mg daily. So my 6 pound dog gets about 50mg daily. It is thought to be more effective to split the dose over 3-4 times a day. You can use Marin and Hepatosupport if you want. In severely liver compromised dogs, sometimes Marin is skipped because the small amount of liver used to flavor it and the yeast is a concern. The vitamin e in it is also not a large enough dose for some dogs. I just find that giving the regular milk thistle is cheap and vitamin e can be added if I want.

Vitamin E can be given. My dog was on 400IU for awhile. It was also sold at a vitamin store. This dose is quite high. I would consult your vet before using some of these things but they are all very safe.

Yes, pick the food up. Split up what she is supposed to have between 4-6 sevvings. I would try the canned again or get the other kibble because it is way better. It made Ellie very itchy though.

Need to edit the milk thistle dose.
The dose for a 10 pound but is 15% of a human's.