What are bile acids?
Bile Acids are produced in the liver and are stored in the gall bladder between meals. Normally, they are released into the intestines to help break down and absorb fats, after which they are reabsorbed by the portal system and enter the liver, where they are removed and stored again until needed. Dogs with liver shunts have increased bile acid concentrations in the blood because the liver does not get a chance to remove and store these chemicals after they are reabsorbed. Tests that measure the amount of bile acids in the blood are used to screen for liver shunts. To perform this screening test, two samples are usually taken. The first sample is taken after fasting (pre-prandial). The second sample is taken and after being fed (post-prandial). The actual technique may vary based on the patient and on the doctor’s preferences. What is the treatment for a portosystemic shunt? Dogs with portosystemic shunts are usually stabilized with special diets and medications, which attempt to reduc
