Dear Dr. John,
My Welsh Terrier is ten months outdated. She went in for her spay after going into warmth a short time in the past. The unique bloodwork and surgical procedure have been each delayed till now. I obtained a name from the vet informing me that one factor in her pre-surgery bloodwork was irregular and, as such, they wished to delay the anesthesia and surgical procedure pending additional prognosis. They advised me {that a} liver enzyme known as ALT was round 1000. They ran it twice to make sure and one time was barely over and the second slightly below that determine. They didn’t go into the doable causes but however what may they be? Will my pet be okay? She is in any other case performing fully usually and has by no means had any well being points in any respect. — W.R.
Dear W.R.,
If your pet is in any other case regular in all different elements, I might chill out for now. Liver issues in canine result in their being jaundiced, decreased appetites, and even vomiting and diarrhea and your pet has not displayed such. By the time you obtain my response, hopefully a correct prognosis can have been made and any wanted procedures or remedy initiated or concluded. ALT is alanine aminotransferase, and it’s the solely liver particular enzyme. This case is a superb instance of why pre-surgical bloodwork, even in a younger seemingly wholesome pet, is a worthwhile endeavor.
Normal ALT in a pet must be someplace between 20-125. Values as excessive as those your pet have are both machine error or indicative of a particular liver subject and will counsel liver mobile harm. The complicated factor is the pet doesn’t appear in poor health. I’m hoping for machine error however the truth that they may have drawn two blood samples and received the identical outcomes is considerably regarding. Things that may trigger elevated ALT embrace hepatitis, coronary heart failure, intestinal irritation, extreme dental issues, endocrine problems, a genetic dysfunction, copper storage subject, Leptospirosis, or toxin ingestion reminiscent of entering into Tylenol. I believe they may measure bile acids. This will result in a extra particular understanding of the liver operate or counsel want for an ultrasound and/or liver biopsy. Good luck!
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic .He will be reached at 781-899-9994.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”