[Love my Millie]

Hi everyone.
I brought my 11 month old Millie, a beautiful Maltese to the Vet to get spayed and have her baby teeth remove. The vet did her blood work and found her ALT at 217. Then, he tested her Bile acid and after feeding her was 80. He did feel comfortable about doing the procedure. He said she either has a Liver Shunt or Microvascular Dysplasia (MVD). I am overwhelmed. I love her so much. My husband of 40 years passed and I got my sweet Millie to help me heal. I feel like she is so special because she was born on the same day my husband passed. I can’t loose her too. If anyone has any advice or knowledge of this condition please share. Thank you.

 

[Love my Millie]

The first thing is to determine if this is a shunt or MVD. A liver shunt can often be surgically repaired, and MVD can be managed through diet and supplements. Honestly, I'm surprised you said your vet is going ahead with the spay without further action. Denamarin or similar supplements can help reduce the liver values; adding Milk Thistle daily is also a good way to control ALT.

If there is a specialty vet near you, seek out an internist for further testing and to determine if it is a liver shunt. I personally know of a very sick one year old maltese/poodle mix years ago who we did not think would survive because the liver shunt had been untreated for months. After successful surgery, this little guy, Samson, lived another 12 or 13 years.

Good luck to you!

The first thing is to determine if this is a shunt or MVD. A liver shunt can often be surgically repaired, and MVD can be managed through diet and supplements. Honestly, I'm surprised you said your vet is going ahead with the spay without further action. Denamarin or similar supplements can help reduce the liver values; adding Milk Thistle daily is also a good way to control ALT.

If there is a specialty vet near you, seek out an internist for further testing and to determine if it is a liver shunt. I personally know of a very sick one year old maltese/poodle mix years ago who we did not think would survive because the liver shunt had been untreated for months. After successful surgery, this little guy, Samson, lived another 12 or 13 years.

Good luck to you!

Dear Maggieh,
Thank you so much for all the valuable information you provided. My Vet did not want to operate on her. I did schedule an appointment with a specialist to determine exactly if it is a shunt or MVD. I have been reading about it and it says that the only way they can be certain is with a liver biopsy. I really don’t want to put her through anything that is going to be so invasive. Tomorrow Millie is scheduled for the protein C test. I will keep you updated on our progress. Thank you again for reaching out and being so kind. Best to you.

 

[Love my Millie]

i am sorry that your husband passed.

Typically dogs with shunts have bile acid levels over 100, it is more likely MVD. There is a relatively inexpensive blood test called a protein c assay. It is been a whil but they should be under $100. Both MVD and liver shunts can been treated medically and with diet. My Lucky had a shunt. He lived to 9, but died from an unrelated cancer. There are specialists, most general vets don't have the experience with liver issues in small dogs I would recommend you look at a lower protein diet, with protein supplements from dairy which is easier fot the liver to process. Not sure what part of the country you are in but Cornell has some excellent vets that specialize in liver issues. In adition to denamarin or marin and sam-e for liver support, prescription lactulose is given. The greatest danger is from ammonia build up in the blood, which is why lower protein and dairy are recommended, they reduce ammonia build up.

Also remember blood tests are just snapshots and the readiings could be an anomaly. if it were me and she is asymptomatic, I would ask for a protein c test, it would further confirm MVD over a shunt, which is a bile acid of 80 would suggest. But I would talk to your vet or a nutrionist about a liver friendly diet either way.

Don't be overly worried about a single blood test. Good luck.

Dear Walter,
Thank you so much for your wisdom and guidance. Sounds like you really understand this condition. Millie is scheduled tomorrow for the protein C test. I hope after all these test the doctor will be able to clearly diagnose if it is a shunt or MVD without a liver biopsy. What do you think about allowing a liver biopsy? I have an appointment next Friday with a specialist. The information you provided is invaluable. I will keep you updated on our progress. I live in California so Cornell is not an option. I wish it was. Your baby is adorable. Thank you again for reaching out. I am so grateful.