Bile Acid Question?

[chechinmipo]

I just want to know what the problem is with bile acid. What does it cause. Is it life threatning. Should I have my baby tested. Any input would be sure appreciated. Thanks.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

The bile acid test is done to try and detect a posible livershunt. When a puppy is in the mother's womb his waste is filtered with a shunt to his mother. This shunt is supposed to close off after birth when the puppie's liver takes over but in some dogs, (yorkies have an abnoramally high incidence) this doesn't happen and they need surgery to stay alive in some severe cases. Soemtime diet can control the problem.

It is usually diagnosed when a puppy is fairly young, uder 4 months but there have been cases undetected until a dog is 8 yrs old!

They usually do not do the test unless the dog is showing symptoms which include a quiet demeanor, failure to thrive, doesn't eat well, and sometimes neurological symptoms.

The dog has to fast for 12 hours before the first test, then they feed the dog and test again. There is lots of info on the internet ...just google livershunt yorkies.

[chechinmipo]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

The bile acid test is done to try and detect a posible livershunt. When a puppy is in the mother's womb his waste is filtered with a shunt to his mother. This shunt is supposed to close off after birth when the puppie's liver takes over but in some dogs, (yorkies have an abnoramally high incidence) this doesn't happen and they need surgery to stay alive in some severe cases. Soemtime diet can control the problem.

It is usually diagnosed when a puppy is fairly young, uder 4 months but there have been cases undetected until a dog is 8 yrs old!

They usually do not do the test unless the dog is showing symptoms which include a quiet demeanor, failure to thrive, doesn't eat well, and sometimes neurological symptoms.

The dog has to fast for 12 hours before the first test, then they feed the dog and test again. There is lots of info on the internet ...just google livershunt yorkies.

Thanks so much for taking the time to explain all thi. Basically answered all my questions at once. It great to have you hear always giving a helping hand. I sure do appreciate it.