High ALT Liver Test -

[staceypal]

I need advice.

I have a year and a half yellow lab.   Last year, when we had his bloodwork done, we noticed that his liver ALT levels were high.  (close to 500)   The vet at that time put him on clayamox for a few weeks and re-tested.  His levels only decreased slighty.   Out of concern, we had a ultrasound done.  Ultrasound results came back absoutley normal.   The vet pretty much said, lets play the "wait and see game"  

Since then, we have switched vets.   We recently had bloodwork done and again my dog's ALT liver levels are still high. (Everything else is normal in his bloodwork!)  My dog acts fine. He's very active, not lethargic at all, eats & drinks well, hasn't been throwing up, no jaundice or anything like that.   The vet now recommended to do a liver bx .   She says, the wait and see game could only lead to more serious things.  If we wait, years to come, if something came up, it may be too late to correct the probelm.  

I've done some research.   Most liver diseases the dog shows signs and symptoms.   I would think
if things were really serious with my dog, he'd be pretty sick. What do you think?

I am doing a liver bx in a few weeks.  

Any ideas on what this may be?  

[staceypal]

Thank you so so much!   This is all so very disturbing and sad.  But, it has opened my eyes completey to what I am feeding my dog. (treats)  

And, I will switch his heartguard medication.  I had even asked my vet about heartguard & she said that would NOT BE something that would raise his liver levels.   Amazing what vets don't tell you!  Can't trust anyone these days.  

[kobe481]

Try Milk Thistle, which is a natural supplement that helps the liver produce new, healthy cells.  My dog was diagnosed with Hepatitis and was put on this.  In a few months when he was retested, his liver enzymes were perfectly normal and the Hep. was gone.  And yes,  you don't always get the inside scoop from the vets, especially those that don't lean towards some more holistic treatments.  Antibiotics aren't always the answer, in fact, quite often they're not.  

[coltap]

Thank you for your posts. I just had a call from my dogs vet that his routine bloodwork had come back and his ALT was just slightly over the limit. I imediatly went online to see what this was and what I could do so it would come down. I saw your post, luckily! I immediatly checked the bag of chicken jerky I occassionally give my dog,(24 oz bag has lasted since last fall,8 months) it is made in China. Brand is Waggin' Train, advertised as 'wholesome'. I am throwing out the remains. Thank you so much for posting!!

[Freckles5232]

We are also concerned about our Pomapoo puppy,Butler, and his high ALP levels .  We took him to have his undescended testicle removed,  the vet came out and said his liver enzyme was above normal and it was best not to operate as dogs with shunts or MVD disease did not tolerate anesthesia well.  At that time it was 170.  He gave us medicine for a month (Dema???) sorry only the bag had the name but they were in a silver punch card type holder, about 10 to a card.  We took him back, fasting, on the 28th and the ALP had risen to 407.   The vet said we probably should do an ultrasound or biopsy.  The second test was only sampled fasting,and the first was fasting and 2 hrs. After feeding.  Butler is a happy playful 10 month old who is a little picky with eating.  We tried several brands of wet and Prime one dry and Beneful.  Because he was so picky, I started giving him stir-fried top sirloin beef, about 2-4 ounces at about 2 pm., or whenever he comes into the kitchen and tells me he is ready to eat.  It sound expensive, but I can make 14 meals out of 8 dollars worth of shredded stir fry.  I separate it  into skack size bags, and take one out to thaw in the morning.  I  sear it, in a hamburger press grill, it only takes 30-40 seconds.  I cut the strips into bite size pieces with scissors, and he gobbles it up.  He wants nothing in the morning,but walking, playing, doing his tricks and a snooze or two.  After lunch he has his main nap.  He noshes on the crunchy stuff in the evenings and during the night.  He also loves,loves, loves rawhide sticks and he gets about two a day total.  I also give him a bowl of crushed ice, as he doesn't like water too much either.He is not lethargic, and interacts with us all day.  

[SwanSong]

Raw hide anything is bad news. Too many dogs end up needing surgery to remove the raw hide from their guts or intestines.

We feed our dogs a raw diet and they do well on it. No cooking and not much measuring needed. Simply remove from the refrigerator and toss in a bowl and feed.

[Deb196448]

i've had my 8 year old dog (lab mix) into the vet 2 times in 2 weeks.  He has a history of epilepsy too.  He is on Phenobarbitol, Potassium Bromide, Prenisone, thyroid meds and now antibiotics.  His ALT was 798! (800 over normal) and his ALKP was 1973 (1550 over normal)! They did xrays and didn't see anything.  He is on Wolf King food (Bison & sweet potato).  Any suggestions?  We love him ALOT!