[MaryH]

After learning and worrying about Finn and his liver shunt, I called Rocco's vet. I just got off the phone with her. She said that in Rocco's favor, he is a big boy with a big appetite and a lot of energy. At 6+ pounds he is a great contrast to Finn at 2+ pounds. She said that since he has a litter mate with LS,he is at higher risk for the disorder, and if he were her pup, she would get the test so she could move on and not worry.
So.... Rocco goes in tomorrow at 7 a.m. He will be fasting from 7 p.m. tonight. They will draw blood, keep him several hours, and then draw blood again. I will not get the results right away since they have to ship the blood to an outside lab.
If you have a moment, please say a prayer for my Rocco. I already love him to pieces and can't allow myself to imagine a negative outcome. My heart is breaking for his twin, and I hope this evil condition does not claim another victim.
Thank you for reading.

Easy for me to say, but please try not to worry. The test is not a big deal. The vet will do a blood draw, feed Rocco, wait 2 hours after feeding, do a second blood draw. The end. A 12-hour fast is no longer a "must do". Although it won't hurt most dogs to go 12 hours without food if I had a very small one prone to hypoglycemic episodes I would not fast that dog for 12 hours. Also, bring whatever food Rocco normally eats with you. Most vets will tell you that the dog must eat a special food, usually Hill's A/D, but Dr. Center (the guru of liver disease) recommends feeding dogs whatever food they normally eat. The key is to get them to eat at least a few tablespoons of food. Better to do that with something they are used to eating and better not to have to force feed, thus causing a stressful situation for the dog. In fact, if Rocco is a picky eater who refuses to eat for the vet, ask them to call you so that you can go feed him. Good luck and keep us posted.

And, by the way, I have never ever heard of more than one puppy in a litter that has liver shunt. Others may have MVD, but multiple shunt puppies in one litter is extremely rare in our breed.

 

[MaryH]

When I had Perri tested a few years ago to have a baseline I just took him home to feed him and then took him back for the second draw. I wonder if the stress of being there would affect the numbers?

Because the stress factor is an unknown it makes sense to keep the dog(s) as stress-free as possible. Good for you that you took Perri home and then back. I would do that, too, if I thought mine were getting stressed out. Lucky for me my dogs will eat anytime/anywhere. Twice a day they get fed, same food, same amount, same dining spot for each and yet twice a day at feeding time they act like this is the first meal they've seen in a month. :w00t: And the oldest one, who has lived this same routine every day for almost 12 years still barks and twirls and acts like he's about to have a lobster dinner ... and he gets the others to act in like fashion. :angry:

 

[MaryH]

Just checking in to see how you and Rocco are doing. Don't fret all weekend ... Rocco will be just fine. If your vet uses Antech for their labwork you should have your results back by Monday or Tuesday.