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Animal Health – General (Expert Forum)
High fever, high liver enzymes
Answered by
Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M. - dogs, cats, behavior therapy, horse care
PetDocsOnCall
Colorado Springs - CO
This forum is for general pet health questions, such as questions about medications, parasites, vaccines, infectious diseases, breed specific and genetic problems.
High fever, high liver enzymes
by SandraMacklin, Sep 18, 2009 04:01PM
About three weeks ago I woke up to find my 12-year-old Border Collie lying on the floor almost comatose, eight hours earlier she'd appeared fine. At the vet's, it was determined she had a temperature of 106F and was severely dehydrated. She was put on intravenous for five days, couldn't stand up and didn't eat for four days until I coaxed her with some cheese. The first blood test came back with high liver enzymes, the vet made a tentative diagnosis of leptospirosis. However, the second blood test taken two weeks later came back with negative titers. Her liver enzymes were still high, apparently triple what they should be. X-rays showed nothing abnormal, she's been put on Hepato Support with milk thistle and 50 mg twice a day of Tramadol for pain. Since this incident, she appears to have aged three years in three weeks, she seems blind(er), deaf(er) and has a very withered back leg, i.e. she can't climb stairs anymore. The vet has suggested another blood test in a week or so to make sure her liver enzymes are continuing to decrease, but I'm wondering if you have a thought on what could be wrong? Thank-you.
Type of Animal
:
Dog
Age of Animal
:
12
Sex of Animal
:
Female
Breed of Animal
:
Border Collie
Last date your pet was examined by a vet?
:
September 10, 2009
Country
:
Canada
Doctor's Answer
by Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M., Sep 23, 2009 05:46PM
, Sep 23, 2009 05:46PM
Clearly some type of severe inflammation / infection or reaction has happened. I would think that we should look at a full panel of blood work to see if any other organ system has been affected. Also of course follow up on the liver tests.
Has she been vaccinated for Lepto? Did your doctor place her on antibiotics? If lepto is suspected, a long and intense course of antibiotics is needed.
for older dogs, such an incident can in fact really have an affect on their health and make them appear to age and perhaps recover very slowly.
Keep her hydrated, give the medications and do the follow ups as directed and let us know what you find out.
Has she been vaccinated for Lepto? Did your doctor place her on antibiotics? If lepto is suspected, a long and intense course of antibiotics is needed.
for older dogs, such an incident can in fact really have an affect on their health and make them appear to age and perhaps recover very slowly.
Keep her hydrated, give the medications and do the follow ups as directed and let us know what you find out.
