Don't worry the month away. I've been through things like this with my kids, and I swear some Dr.s just like to run tests. It is most often nothing, if there is anything wrong it's nothing that can't wait 30 days.
Good Luck, Joan
Good Luck, Joan
I need help
G
I need help...I'm worried sick and hopefully someone can give me more information. Last week I took Mollie (8months) to the vet for the pre-spayed blood test. Well this morning I get a call back and the vet wants me to call him. He told me that she had high levels on her liver test. He told me that it could be just a bug she got w/o signs or something else. But he wants to test her again in 1 month. Before we go back he wants me to give her Vitamin E to see if that helps because he said that it could help but can't hurt her. I just don't know what to think. This month is going to go slow with me worrying like this.
Has this happened to anyone? Should I be worried sick? What does this mean?
Has this happened to anyone? Should I be worried sick? What does this mean?
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In a complete blood work up there are a number of enzymes tested for that can indicate a liver function problem especially when all or most are elavated if only one or two it may not be a problem especial given what ones they are. Any number of medication can have a dramatic effect on the result of the test.
If you are truely concerned you may want to talk to the vet about a fasting Urine bile acid test.
the following may be use full or if your like most of us confuse you even more
REDUCING THE RISK OF DRUG INDUCED LIVER DISEASE
LABORATORY RESULTS
"The Blood Chemistry Panel is a group of individual tests that are done on blood plasma or serum. These tests reveal valuable information about the health of your dog. A normal range is set by each lab and your dog's results are compared to that normal range. Please keep in mind that a single abnormal result may have little clinical significance in a particular case. Other factors to consider are clinical signs, history, age and medications being used, as these can affect normal values without having clinical significance. "
If you are truely concerned you may want to talk to the vet about a fasting Urine bile acid test.
the following may be use full or if your like most of us confuse you even more
REDUCING THE RISK OF DRUG INDUCED LIVER DISEASE
LABORATORY RESULTS
"The Blood Chemistry Panel is a group of individual tests that are done on blood plasma or serum. These tests reveal valuable information about the health of your dog. A normal range is set by each lab and your dog's results are compared to that normal range. Please keep in mind that a single abnormal result may have little clinical significance in a particular case. Other factors to consider are clinical signs, history, age and medications being used, as these can affect normal values without having clinical significance. "
And please remember, none of us is a vet, most of us aren't doctors, and even fewer among us are doctors specializing in laboratory testing. 
G
I just wanted to mention that my dogs were eating Diamond brand dog food - the one that was recalled due to tainted corn. One of the supplements that the company suggested giving to strengthen the liver was Vitamin E. I would think that in your case, it wouldn't hurt to give the vitamin E to your dog until you know more.
Judy
Judy
G
I agree that A vet is the best source of information but I also think being well read is important. I would ask him for the specific results and do a little fact finding. I know in humans liver levels must be VERY elevated to be a concern. It could be that they are chronically high and now you and your vet know what to avoid. Thank goodness for pre-surgery testing. Good Luck yvonne
I agree with Joan, don't worry the month away. My Sadie has had problems with very high liver levels off & on for awhile now. She is almost 11 yrs old & hers is due to arthritis medication. I'm not sure what your babies is due to, but Sadie's vet told me the levels would have to be very high for a long time to do irreversible damage to the liver. He has played with her arthritis medication & a liver medication until he found the right dosage of both that relieved the arthritis discomfort & kept her liver levels in normal range. My point is, I was worried sick too, when it 1st started, but the vet assured me that short term, the high liver levels was not a huge concern. She is fine now (knock on wood). Her last blood test showed normal liver levels. Let us know what happens!
When "Normal" Dogs Have Abnormal Liver Enzymes
[ January 09, 2006, 06:43 PM: Message edited by: Betsy Iole ]
This article goes to explain some possible causes of liver testing abnormalities, but is geared toward older dogs.If pets appear otherwise well, it is exceedingly important to verify the abnormal result before pursuing it as a potential problem. In other words, the veterinarian will need to make sure that the abnormality shows up on re-tests and not just a fluke. Repeating the lab test in one to two weeks with ideal patient preparation is common.
[ January 09, 2006, 06:43 PM: Message edited by: Betsy Iole ]
A friend just dealt with this with her dog this week... she insisted the vet repeat the bloodwork using a different lab as her dog seemed perfectly healthy and the results "not right" to her way of thinking. The redid the test... and it came back normal. They didn't bill her for the bloodwork...
I have no advice for you, but I hope everything works out for you and your sweet baby.
Just had a terrible thought...you're not feeding her any of those Diamond dog food products, are you?
Link to listings of recalled products and states where contaminated food was sold.
[ January 09, 2006, 08:51 PM: Message edited by: Betsy Iole ]
Link to listings of recalled products and states where contaminated food was sold.
[ January 09, 2006, 08:51 PM: Message edited by: Betsy Iole ]
G
Sorry it has taken me a while to get back and say Thanks for all the kind words and the help. I just freaked out I guess and didn't know what to do. I'm going to call the vet back tomorrow and talk a little more about this to him and get some more info, I was in complete shock Monday when I spoke to him. I didn't know what to say, but ok. To answer you question about the dog food, no my dogs eat purina food.
But the reason I'm so on edge about this is my friend lost her dog to liver problems they couldn't figure out in Nov and it was so sad. And just hearing her story and the heartache she went through with her dog makes me scared and worry.
So, I appreicate everyone's help. Hopefully the vet can ease my mind a little and hope for the best!
But the reason I'm so on edge about this is my friend lost her dog to liver problems they couldn't figure out in Nov and it was so sad. And just hearing her story and the heartache she went through with her dog makes me scared and worry.
So, I appreicate everyone's help. Hopefully the vet can ease my mind a little and hope for the best!
Don't worry too much. Besty is right--your vet is your best source of information. Lab tests can be wrong for lots of reasons, some of which have nothing to do with the dog's health. (like some human read the test results incorrectly, or messed up when they drew the sample). One little bit of consolation--I had a dog that lived to about 13 who had abnormally high liver tests all her life, from puppyhood on. No one every figured out why. After she was gone (she died of heart disease--nothing to do with her liver) , the vet said she might have had mild inflammatory bowel disease. I recall asking a liver specialist at the hospital where I worked at the time about it, and he said it happens in humans not all that infrequently, also--high test values, no real health problem. So, have it checked out again, and then talk to your vet about what it might mean. Lab tests indicate something *might* be wrong, but if she's feeling good right now, I'd not worry too much.
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