We're Numb and Need Advise

[JRitchie10]

I am sure glad we found this site. My wife and I are numb right now as we have been told there is a good chance our soon-to-be three year old (7/30) princess, Sophie, may have liver disease. She began having head shaking (tremors) about one week ago and I have had her to our regular vet and a neurologist last week. Our regular vet referred us to the neurologist as she was not sure what this was (she mentioned White Shaker syndrome). Of course, the neurologist started the post-visit discussion with pricing of the diagnosis ($1600-$3200). This floored us as we are in no position to pay that kind of money right now, especially for just a diagnosis. When I informed the neurologist of this, she recommended a CBC panel and bile testing. The CBC came back fine; the bile was 73.4 (after fasting) and 70 (after eating). Now we've just received the neurologist's recommendations back (new bile test to confirm levels, then a diet change, then Protein C testing with possible rectal nuclear scintigraphy, biopsies, intra-operative liver studies, spinal fluid collections, etc. All told, well over $5000. My wife is in tears and I am close to it.

Can anyone enlighten me on what we're dealing with here? Sophie is asymptomatic except for the tremors, which have lessened a great deal since it was first noticed. She has no shaking whatsoever when resting or when her head is down, her stool and urine are fine, she plays with the same vigor she did before and her appetite is great. I would have thought we would see some other signs of problems if it was liver related, but I guess I'm not a vet.

We could use some friends right now and this site looks like the place to be. If anyone can shed some light on this, we would really appreciate it.

John

[patty58]

Hi John, I am so sorry that you are going thru this with your precious baby. I don't have any advice but I have prayers. Welcome to our site.

[journey826]

I have no advice but I am sending prayers your way
let sophie be alright and comfort her family in their time of need.and what ever road may they travel be it with strength and faith.

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

I'm so sorry to know of what you are all going through with your precious girl... I will hold you in my prayers for a good resolve and outcome for little Sophie.

I have no wisdom to provide on her condition, but give your post just a few minutes to get out there and in no time, I bet you'll have the compassion of so many wonderful people here who have experienced the same thing, to offer you some direction.

Welcome to YT.... glad you're here!

[jonibear]

I don't have any advice either, but I am sending my prayers your way also.
Good luck

[gabbriellew]

there are a number of things that can affect bile acid readings. Three is a bit late for a congenital shunt and may point more to MVD which is managed by diet. The other possibility is an acquired shunt as a result of kidney or heart problems, but that doesn't sound likely given the lack of other symptoms. The protein c is useful and was developed by DR Sharon Center at Cornell. I think you should email Dr Center directly with a description of the symptoms prior to going whole hog with all the tests. Also what are you feeding? A diet too high in protein and fat can raise the liver bile acids and revert to normal after changing foods
Ruth

[grandmatoall]

I am so sorry you are going through this. Prayers are coming to all of you from Idaho. Welcome to YT

[bchgirl]

Usually a dog with a liver shunt...post bile levels are much higher than her results. As in over 100 or more.

She may have mvd...which is treated by diet and supplements.

PM yorkieluv here....her dog has mvd and she has a lot of knowledge.

[Ellie May]

I'm so sorry about your little girl.

The good news is that liver disease isn't a death sentence and you don't need to spend $5000 to diagnose it.

When the bile acid test was done, was your girl eating a high protein food or had she taken any drug (including heartworm and flea med) in the last week or two? These can skew the results. Because of the neurological symptoms, it does sound like a shunt or MVD (small shunting throughout the liver).

If she requires surgery, the best place to have it done is University of Tennessee and it is less than $1700 usually. A Protein C test might come next and maybe a scintography. Ultraounds can be inconclusive, but they can be helpful if bladder stones secondary to liver disease is a concern. Liver biopsy can be used to diagnose MVD but if shunt is ruled out, you can just consider it MVD, skip the biopsy and put her on supplements.

I think scintography is usually about $600.
If a vet wants $5000 just to check for a shunt without repairing it, I think I'd go somewhere else.

What food have they put her on and have you started supplements?

My dog's bile acids were post 106 at last check.
I decided on ultrasound because of some bladder issues (which again could be inconclusive) and no shunt was seen. She had a biopsy during her spay and no MVD was found. So it is still a mystery with her. She doesn't have any neurological issues though.

Has a urinalysis or culture been done to look for crystals in the urine?
Has a blood panel been done to look at liver enzymes?

[YorkieChick1]

John, I am so sorry to hear about your baby, Have you ever heard of Care Credit, I know people who have applied for that and you can get 0% loans for veterinary care. Good Luck.

[pookiebear]

John...sending prayers to you and your family. You'll find lots of loving friends here. Please keep us posted about Sophie's progress.

[bailey12]

Hi. I have a 7 y.o. yorkie, Zeus, who has MVD. He is on a prescription diet and takes Denosyl SD4. This works great for him and is very reasonable in terms of cost. Zeus was diagnosed at 10 mos. and is doing great!!! Juliet

[JRitchie10]

Wow. What an awesome group of people. Chris (my wife) and I want to thank each of you that have responded to our post. This has been very difficult on us, to say the least, but knowing that we have friends praying for Sophie (and us) truly helps. The advise has been wonderful as well (from those with similar circumstances as well as advise toward funding should we face larger obstacles).

Sophie became a member of our family right after some very, very difficult times and is such a special gift to us from God. We are so afraid of losing her and I am going to do everything in my power to see that she has the opportunity to live a full and wonderful life. I've attached her picture for all to see.

We are going to contact the vet tomorrow about changing her diet as she is on a "high protein" diet right now. We just feel blessed that we are not seeing any other signs of problems. If it were not for the shaking, you would never know there was anything wrong. We just pray that everything will work out.

Again, to each of you, thanks again. And please keep the posts coming. Any additional information you may have is truly a blessing.

John and Chris

[LuvmyYorkies2]

Hi John...welcome to YT. Your Sophie is beautiful..sending well wishes for her to get better soon. I'm sure with your love and dedication to her needs, she'll have a long, HEALTHY life ahead!!

[Sandysbabies]

Prayer changes things and I know because I have a little one that is a miracle. Keep praying, believing and it would not hurt to get a second opionion. Hope everything turns out good for your little angel.