LIVER SHUNT -- TESTING, DIET & MANAGEMENT SUGGESTIONS

TESTING

• Step 1 -- bile acid tests
• Step 2 -- advanced diagnostics (see f. below)
• Step 3 -- surgery, if indicated

You will need to know the following from your veterinarian:

1. What is the dog's bile acids concentration after a 12-hour fast?
   (normal <10)

2. What is the dog's bile acids concentration 2-hours after eating?
   (normal <15 or 20)

3. What is the dog's albumin concentration?

4. What is the dog's blood urea nitrogen (BUN)?

5. What is the dog's blood glucose?

6. Did the dog have scintigraphy, ultrasound, MRI, portogram, or liver biopsy to help diagnose the condition?  If so, what were the results?

.

DIET & MANAGEMENT -- Care and Feeding

In most cases, proper diet, consisting of very low protein and medication will postpone the urgency of the surgery.

This information, such as KD Prescription Diet or LD Prescription Diet, and appropriate medications, if necessary, should be discussed with your veterinarian .

Have your veterinarian contact:

Dr. Karen Tobias
The University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine
PO Box 1071
Knoxville, TN 37901-1071

Tel:  (865) 974-8387
Email: ktobias@utk.edu
Fax: (865) 974-5554
Web: http://www.vet.utk.edu/clinical/sacs/shunt