dogs

[bernie63]

my 14 year old westie has alk phos of 6000 is this serious

[Scoobstersmom]

Yes, it is possible for a dog to have an alp of 6000 or 7000 and my vet said she has even seen much higher.  My yorkie's alp recently climbed to nearly 7000.  His alt was also on the rise and got up to around 600.  We had many tests ran and were seeing an internal medicine specialists.  We stopped just short of an actual biopsy but he had two ultrasounds, much blood work, bile acid test, and was tested for cushings disease.  Cushings was negative, bile acids were only slightly elevated and ultrasound showed a slightly enlarged liver.  My dog is a 14 year old yorkie.

He has been on denamarin and a liver friendly diet of royal canin hepatic kibble.  We tried several rounds of antibiotics and the alp just kept rising.  Two months ago my vet put him on ursodial.  Within 4 weeks, his alt was back to normal and his alp had dropped to 3900.  4 weeks more and the alt has continued to drop and his alp is now down to 3400.  Don't know why it's working but it is a relief to see the numbers drop for a change.

Diana and the Scoobster

[Misfits4Me]

Hello Judith......I don't know what the outcome was on this.....Unfortunately, most of the time, people DO NOT come back to let us know what happened....

I'm sorry to hear about your guy.....How old is your Min-pin?

I'm not an expert on Liver Enzymes, but I do hope a specialist will be able to get to the bottom of this & quickly....What kind of specialist have you been referred to?

If you will post your question as a NEW question, you are more likely to get responses.....Maybe others will see and have some ideas....

Also, you might want to add his age, what tests have been done & what has been ruled out, if a Liver biopsy taken, was an ultrasound of the liver AND gallbladder done to look for enlargement or inflammation?, etc.....

What do you feed this guy & how long has he eaten it? Again, additional info. posted as a new question on this forum will get you more responses.....

Please, keep us updated; I'll be thinking about you......Karla

[JudithH]

Hi, I was wondering what the outcome was on this. My little fur baby, a Min Pin, also has a HIGH ALKP and ALT reading. So high that they couold not read it and today we are taking him to a specialist. He is very sick. Sleepy, not hungry, throws up. He stayed overnight at the vet but last night was home and began to throw up again. We are so worried. Many tests have been done, but no finding yet on what it is. For the meantime he is going getting sicker.If you have any advice or can help please I wll take it.

[Misfits4Me]

I found this: & thought I'd pass it along.....

When the Alkaline Phosphatase is profoundly elevated (10 x the normal high):
This is a liver enzyme that is released when there is any type of inflammation in the liver tissues. The two most likely conditions to cause such a profound elevation are an obstruction of the bile flow from the liver (as with a gall bladder stone, pancreatitis, or tumor) or from a high level of systemic steroids (glucocorticoids), either from overdosing this medication or from a hormonal disorder called Cushing’s Disease. This finding is significant and should be pursued right away.

Karla

[Misfits4Me]

WOW, I clearly jumped the gun so to speak......I apologize for that!

What is your Vet pursuing? Did he/she say?

Does your girl have any outwardly symptoms? Anything odd that you see?

I'm very curious now, as to what your Vet finds.....Did they offer you any medication to support her Liver?
Please keep us updated on her....I'm still hoping others will offer suggestions......I'll be thinking about you both, Karla

[bernie63]

thank you yes definately 6000 and yes she is being investigated. no she isn't on any medication up until now my lovely old girl has never had any health problems just cataracts which developed about 18months ago

[Misfits4Me]

Hi Bernie & welcome.....I don't think 6000 is possible! Are you sure that's what your Vet said?  The normal range is in the 20's - 200's....Diseases will appear with a problem in the 1800-2000 range.....Is your Vet treating for any disease?

My first two thought from your description of dog is:  Cushings Disease or clearly, Liver Disease......Does your Westie by chance take Steriods?

Hopefully, your Vet is on top of this problem.....I personally would think 6000 would be past the fatal limit......Again, are you sure?

Please let us know what happens......I'll be watching this post......I hope others will come by for suggestions........Good luck, Karla

[ginger899]

Alkaline Phosphatase at 6000 does sound high.
Have you discussed this with your vet? I presume you found out about the high ALP level from a blood testing, either routine, or diagnostic? In which case, the vet ought to fully explain the findings, and their implications and whether any treatment is required for any underlying condition.
I would speak to your vet as soon as possible to get clarity about this.