Lakeview Puppies

05/13/2026

So... I have heard of a couple people with puppies from us getting high bile acid results on their dogs after getting normal results back from a regular pre-surgery blood test. Um... I'm thinking that MVD is more common-place in small dogs than anyone realizes. Most vets don't do a routine bile acid test. Which makes me think that, like in Maltese, it's usually not a big deal 🤷🏼‍♀️

05/13/2026

Kisses' sweeties turned 5 weeks old today!🥰

05/06/2026

Kisses' little cutie pies turned 4 weeks old today!🥰

04/29/2026

Kisses' littles 😘🥰
Teddy Bears

04/17/2026

https://m.blog.naver.com/arkanimal/221493826159

This is what the recommendations are for Maltese:

1. J Small Anim Pract. 2014 Jan;55(1):14-21. doi: 10.1111/jsap.12156. Epub 2013 Dec 2. The i...

04/17/2026

This is what I got from AI when I typed in Microvascular Dysplasia in Maltese:

Microvascular dysplasia (MVD) in Maltese is a common congenital, often asymptomatic, liver condition where microscopic blood vessels fail to develop properly, limiting blood flow to the liver. While it causes elevated bile acids, most Maltese with MVD live normal, full lives without treatment. It is managed, if necessary, via low-protein diets.
American College of Veterinary Surgeons

Key Facts on MVD in Maltese

Prevalence: MVD is highly prevalent in the breed, with a large majority of the Maltese population potentially affected.

Symptoms: Most affected Maltese are completely asymptomatic. When symptoms do occur (rarely), they may include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, or lethargy.

Diagnosis: MVD is often suspected based on elevated bile acid tests (high-protein meal test). It cannot be seen on ultrasound, so a liver biopsy is required for definitive diagnosis.

MVD vs. Shunts: Unlike a portosystemic shunt (large vessel bypass), MVD occurs at a microscopic level. It is often referred to as portal vein hypoplasia or hepatic portal venous hypoperfusion.
Management: No surgical treatment exists for MVD. Symptomatic cases are managed with a low-protein diet to reduce the burden on the liver.

Prognosis: The prognosis for MVD is excellent, and it does not typically shorten the lifespan of the dog.

When to See a Veterinarian
While many cases require no intervention, you should consult a veterinarian if your dog exhibits signs of liver dysfunction, such as neurological issues (confusion, seizures) or severe, persistent gastrointestinal issues. For further information, the American College of Veterinary Surgeons offers a detailed overview of the condition.
American Kennel Club

American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Hepatic Portal Venous Hypoperfusion in Small Animals
A normal lifespan should be expected in dogs with MVD. This diagnosis does not warrant feeding a special diet or liver-specific me...

Merck Veterinary Manual

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04/17/2026

Ugh! I quit! I brought Diamond (from Merry & Bentley) and her daughter, Beth (from Diamond and Coy) in for a bile acid test today. Diamond's tests came back normal, but Beth's pre-prandial was 1.6 (great!), post-prandial was 47.8 (should be under 30)! So, apparently, it can skip a generation pretty easily. I'm wondering if a lot of Bichons have this like Maltese. The "symptoms" of MVD are generally small, not thriving. The dogs that have have tested with elevated levels here are not the ones I would have thought. They have generally been bigger than the ones who tested "normal." I just don't get it. The vet office keeps telling me I can do more tests on the ones that tested high. I told them today, "I'm kind of running out of money."😬🥴

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04/17/2026

Fun Poll: IF we get a new male, should it be a Shih Tzu or a Bichon?

04/17/2026

Mia's little cutie pies turned nine weeks old today!💜💗. Mia also needed some pics 😉🥰
(Both reserved)

04/09/2026

Mia's precious babies turned eight weeks old today!💜💗🥰. Poor girls didn't get a picture day last week!😅. (Both reserved)

04/08/2026

This is what we're doing now ❤️
2 males, 1 female