My Yorkie has high bile acids and liver issues. Could it be a portosystemic shunt?

Question

10 Half Yoa Fem Yorkie Sweet Friendly Lots Of Energy! Looks Acts Like Puppy. She's Always Had A Liver Issue. Vet Specialist Says MVD. Todays Liver Bile Pre 41, Post 100.5 Hardly Vomits Or Has Loose Stools. Does Not Walk Aimlessly Around No Circling No Mashing Head. Does Miss 1-2 Days Eating 3 At Most Twice A Mth. Think She Wants My Food, Picky Eater, Can Hear Her Tummy Growl Some Times Smelly Silent Gas.. She Loses A Little Weight, Now Heavy 6lbs, Is This Serious Plz? Want Scintigraphy Done.Thx. Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Female | spayed | 10 years and 4 months old | 5.5 lbs

Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA · Accepted Answer

The bile acids results are certainly consistent with a dog that has a portosystemic shunt. Dogs with liver shunts do not always display the common neurologic signs, like circling or head pressing. Yorkies are also prone to developing lymphangiectasia which could be causing the gassy issue, or even IBD - but I would work up the possible shunt first. I think nuclear scintigraphy is a logical next step based on the information you have provided. Here is some more information about portosystemic shunts: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2533 Intestinal lymphangiectasia: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1381

My Yorkie has high bile acids and liver issues. Could it be a portosystemic shunt?

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