High ALT in my 3year old shitzu/maltese

[ashii33]

I have a 3 yr old shitzu/maltese Marlie. 
when she was about 6 months old her ALT was 534 they say normal level should be between 10-100) I was very unfamiliar about this and was not advised of the seriousness. Then at the beginning of this year she had a seizure as such where she looled just about dead, her gums were white/grey and she wouldn't move. I took her to the vet (a differeny one to where I had been before)  they  advised her ALT was 952. They stabilized her and gave me a script for SAMe they advised.to change her diet to science diet specifically for liver disese dogs. We trialled this for two weeks and she would not eat! I also have another dog, and they are best friends and eat together since they were puppies. So the vet said I could cook her chicken breast with veg n rice that way they can eat together. So she would have a seizure about once a month altho not as bad as her first one , now her gums go pale white/grey and she is very quiet and still.  But she will stay like this for a few moments I give her water and she vomits, once she vomits and then eats her chicken she generally goes back to normal. We are continuing on SAMe and the diet. Just on april 22 she had another episode I took her to the vet they suggested an ultra sound which showed her organs are in good working order they then suggested it could be addisons diseas. So they did a test and again came back that her adrenal glands are working fine. The vet re tested her ALT and they have dropped to 618. The vet is now suggesting I take her to a small animals specialist. She occasionally vomits like a yellow water substance. Both dogs are on panoramis . The eat advance biscuits suggested by vet.. 
I have looked online, could it be respitory or a heart issue ? They said that it is highly unlikely a shunt. This little girl Is my best little mate, id do anything I possibly could to make sure my dogs are okah and have what they need. They also said a biopsy is probably not necessary and very invasive. I would love to hear any feed back as the vets are kinda at a dead end.  Thank you

[Misfits4Me]

Since it started when she was a baby & has continued, I would still lean towards a Shunt UNTIL that was ruled out! The Bile Acids Blood test is simple to do....Keep us updated, Karla

P.S. Your going to have to get her on a better, COMPLETE diet! Only chicken breasts & biscuits will do more damage in the long run!  She will end up lacking vital vitamins & minerals (Particularly Calcium)!!!!

[ashii33]

Thats great thank you!  So do you think it still could b a shunt ? Or a liver issue ?
thanks so much for ur help.

[Misfits4Me]

Here it is, I found it!

http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/liver-diets-for-dogs-with-chronic-liver-disease/

[ashii33]

Hello Karla
thanks.so much yes sorry they did that test at first was high then came back, normal, pretty much from puppy for about the first year or two she was a mix between my dog and cooked meat with biscuits varying from as supermarket brand and advance. Treats she occasionally would have chicken necks and feet and jerky.  For a while I would buy mince and cook for both dogs.  Since the beginning of this year she has been on chicken breast, and advance biscuits. They also both used to be on sentinel for flea ect now we have moved back to my parents she sometimes has access to brisket bone. The shampoo and conditioner I use is dermcare aloveen. My other dog ruby at abiut same age also had high liver enzymes but they went down and there was no.prpblem. thanks for writing back

[Misfits4Me]

Hello Ashii------First, I would have to know what foods (Including treats) were being fed to this guy from the beginning....There are so many things (Toxins) that can raise Liver enzymes, that you basically have to do an investigation process.

Chemical Laden foods (All grocery store brands) for starters...Also, flea/tick products, all treats, Heart worm meds., chemical shampoos, yard & house chemicals, etc. can all be culprits! Over-vaccinating (Especially in small dogs) comes into play, also!

Your first Vet should have started a Liver supplement in the beginning (At 6 months) when there was a clear issue!

I personally would find a Vet willing to listen to you.....Any regular Vet can test for a Liver Shunt & all these things you've written leans towards just that! I would rule it out with a "Bile Acids" test....It's very simple.....Then you could move on...

I just read a wonderful article about Liver disease & included homecooked recipes...I WOULD NOT feed the Prescription Diet from your Vet!!!! Let me go see if I can send it to you.......Karla