High ALT in Beagle Puppy

[beaglemama]

Hi, I'm looking for any advice from fellow doggie parents.   The background info:  I took my 6 month old beagle for her spay on 12/23/13.   Fortunately, I opted to have pre-surgery bloodwork done.   Two hours later, the vet calls and cancels (thankfully!) the spay due to an astronomical ALT (1184).  Her AST and Bilirubin were normal but the ALKP was astronomically high as well (1324).    The vet suspected either a toxin or liver shunt.   My puppy was put on Denamarin and was retested 2 weeks later on 1/7/14.   ALT values dropped to 453 and AKLP to 619.   Because the values were dropping, the vet recommended another retest two weeks later (although vet said we could jump right to the Bile Acids Test).   We opted to continue the Denamarin and retest.   On 1/23, ALT had gone back up to 696,ALKP had gone down to 594, but AST was up to 94.   After consulting with a specialist, the vet recommended the BAT (vs immediate ultrasound) as well as a stool sample to double check for parasites.   My puppy had coccidia when we brought her home - and we had several stool checks in the fall to ensure it cleared up.   The BAT is scheduled for 1/28 - and of course - I am SO nervous!    The vet suspects a liver shunt.    My puppy shows NO symptoms at all - very energetic, great appetite.   At 7 months, she weighs 15 lbs. (vet thinks she is a little thin).

I have spent the past several days researching - and braining my drain of what my puppy ingests.   My puppy takes Heartgard Plus and Frontline Plus (which I'm discovering are really toxins).   Interestingly her last Heartgard was the day before her scheduled spay (12/22)....     Her last Frontline applications were 12/14 and 1/16.     Could these be contributing to her high numbers?     She eats Fromm Puppy Gold.   For treats I had been giving her ivet treats and had given a few Buddy Biscuits.   Since her first test, I have stopped all treats, only offering Fromm kibbles for treats.  

Also, 3 days before her scheduled spay, she drank a bowlful of water at once and then 15 minutes, threw up white foam.    I can only remember one other time she has done this - so I'm thinking she ingested some type of toxin at that time.  

Some other thoughts - since she is a beagle puppy, her nose is always to the ground.    She discovered leaking water from our refrigerator freezer and lapped it up occasionally.   (We are in process of getting refrigerator replaced).   We have given her ice cubes from that freezer, so wonder if there might be some type of mold or something in the ice cubes/water?     We have had a feral cat on our property....did she eat some feces of that cat or another animal?    Did she find a dropped Tylenol on the floor?    So much to think about!  

This puppy has had her health issues - coccidia, bacterial infection (enterobacter?) in the first 2 weeks we brought her home, ear infection, a small corneal infection - and now this!

Anyway, if the BAT comes back with too high results, the vet recommends an ultrasound (radiologist to come on vet's site to perform).    Everything I read says the ultrasound often doesn't show much.   Would you recommend going straight to a specialist and have them perform a different test (e.g. scintigraphy)?    Would you ask to switch her diet right away?  

If the BAT comes back normal, the vet says they will run a clotting test and would be able to proceed with the spay - which makes me nervous.   Any thoughts?    If the BAT, is normal, any recommendations on what to do to follow up on the Liver issues?    

Sorry for the lengthy question!   I'm in  my 50s - always wanted a dog - and finally got one for my son and me - and NEVER had any thought that I would be confronted with this issue.    Any input SO appreciated!

[tonyb286]

Hi. I would be very interested in the results too. Try to get a copy of them from your vet and please do let me know what he says after Tuesday. Tony

[beaglemama]

Thanks for your response.   Re your first thought, I've thought about the breeder as well, but hindsight is 20/20 - and although these first months with her have been challenging at times, she does bring our family such joy that I can't imagine NOT having her!    Someone has take to care of this pup, and it might as well be me!   :)

Re the Heartgard - since she has been 2 months old, she has been given Heartgard every 4 weeks (a total of 5 doses so far).   I did NOT give her one last week before her last bloodwork test because I had read on this forum that Heartgard could be bad for the liver.      There is about a 7 - 10 day stagger between when I give the Frontline and Heartgard.   She has had 5 doses of Frontline so far - usually 4 weeks apart.   We are in a deep freeze here in the midwest so I'm wondering if it is even necessary this time of year.   The vet had recommended to do it monthly regardless.  

Good thoughts on the freezer.   I'm pretty sure it was just water but I didn't try to drink it so who knows!  Once discovered we tried to be cautious - and put a towel under fridge to absorb  it - but of course puppy tries to grab it,   We have it blocked now.    But I am concerned about the ice cubes - so we have stopped ice cube treats - and hope to get the refrigerator replaced soon.    

Trust me, I have tried to be so cautious with our puppy but it just seems like things keep coming up that I realize this first-time pet mama is still learning on the job.   Thanks to this forum for helping me get on track!  

I will bring all of my concerns up with the vet when I take puppy in on Tuesday.   I'm just so hoping and praying that the BAT test comes back normal.