max does not have a shunt BUT

[Babymax]

max just goe out of his surgery he got a biopsy done and thr results will be in tomorrow or monday the vet told me that he has a very small liver 2 times smaller then it should be so what does that mean acactull she told me in doctor terms about the protine and every thing but im woundering is this okay can it grow bigger could his small liver be causing these liver problems can he will he live a longe pain free life please any one any advice or suggestions any thing at all

[TLC]

Oh hun, I know this is a lot to take in right now. I have 2 myself that have liver issues and we are taking it one step at a time.

When you get the results, you'll be able to proceed with taking care of him the best way. If he doesn't have a shunt, he probably has MVD. You can do a google search and find out lots of information about it. MVD is maintained through special diet and supplements.

There is a yahoo group specific for Liver Shunts and MVD. Hold on, I am going to get the link for you. It would be good for you to join, there are so many wonderful people over there going through the same things as us.

I'll be right back with the link

[TLC]

Ok, here it is:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/L...d_MVD_Support/

You have to sign up to yahoo (if you don't already have an account - it's free though) and then go through the steps to join the group.

There is soooooooooooo much information locationed in their FILES section.

I am here if you need anything!

[Babymax]

thank you so much for the help do you know whati t means about having a very small liver like he 1 year old can it stilll grow wwhat does ur baby have MVD

[drawlins27]

I think this is called microhepatica. Its usually caused by the liver not fully developing and is usually found along side liver shunt or with Addison's Disease or other liver disease. His liver will not grow to full size.

[TLC]

I don't know what a small liver means, probably MVD or there may be another type of liver disease. I am just learning all of this myself too, so sorry I can't be more help to you.

Roxy and TJ are both over 2.5 years old. Just by me requesting, I had my Vet do a Bile Acid Test. Well, Thank God I did.

Normal range is >5 (pre) and >20 (post)
Roxy's #'s were 43 (pre) and 100.9 (post)
TJ's #'s were 5 (pre) and 43 (post)

These #'s indicated that the Liver is not functioning properly. Either a shunt or MVD. Roxy had an ultra sound done. They didn't see a shunt (however, there still could be one). The u/s did show that her liver was normal size and shape though. We also did a full blood panel and urine testing, etc. Everything was normal.

We are maintaining with diet and supplements right now. On Monday they both go back to have their Bile Acid Tested again. Once we get those results we will decide what to do next.

[Yorkieluv]

A smaller liver means that it has probably atrophied...If you help the liver by giving lactulose, special food, and certain supplements, your baby's liver can improve. Milk thistle is one of those supplements that helps protect the liver from further damage and helps repair the already damaged parts.

Can you please list the ingredients of the food that you are feeding Max?

[Babymax]

he is eating medacal it was suggested by a vet i dont have the bag any more i put his food in a tight seeled jar by any chance do you know this see maxx is smart he will not take pills he will hold it in his mouth and after he swallows the water i give him he will spit it out so i put his milktisle,and others meds one at a time in a surenge if water and let it desolve then give it to him and the vitimine E i bust with a needle and give it he will only take it this way i dont know why it would be so beeter tasting if he just swallowed it
so is he still getting the same thing from it os it okay that its desolved and is there any other meds that he should have hes on lactulose,vE,nutrcal he has low sugar,pepcide for the acid in his belly,a apitite stimulant,and metroidizole

[Yorkieluv]

How much nutri-cal do you give? Don't give too much of that stuff. It should only be given if he doesn't eat, and only a little dab. What kind of appetite stimulant?
Medi-cal makes several different foods. Which one is he on?

[Babymax]

hes on medacal low protine in the white and yellow bag the nutricalhes aloud 2 ccs 3 times a day as a nutritional factor to if hes not eating he can havr 3 cc each time hes on metropezan i dont know how to spell that i dont have the bottle its with him at the hospital do you know of any other meds aor supplements he can have

[Yorkieluv]

Milk thistle (can buy it at any health food store) or hepatosupport (you can buy this one at www.homevet.com) are very good for the liver...Also, denosyl (can buy it at www.entirelypets.com) or vetri-dmg(you can also buy this at www.homevet.com).

[Ladymom]

My Lady has been on seizure drugs for seven years and they are notoriously hard on the liver. I started giving her milk thistle within the first six months and all these years later, her liver values are still in the normal range. My vet is amazed.

I used to use milk thistle from GNC. A member on another forum I belong to has a dog with MVD and was was told by Dr. Center from Cornell to buy Marin. She said the formula is much more effective. For those of you who are not familiar with her, Dr. Center is considered to be the expert on liver disease.

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/faculty/Center/

You can get Marin at Entirely Pets. It's really reasonable. Lady only gets 1/4 tablet once a day so a bottle lasts for four months.

http://www.entirelypets.com/marindog.html

[Yorkiekids]

Prayers coming your way.