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Originally Posted by kjc  I've been doing alot of research on liver issues the past two years. But I can't offer anything without knowing which enzyme is elevated, and how elevated it is.
Re: #1. Do you mean he isn't acting sick? Dogs are great at hiding their illness, or even adapting to subtle, gradual changes in their overall health.
Re:#2. Usually it is common protocol to test for any bleeding disorders before 'going in' for a liver biopsy, so risk can be minimized. The liver can still function enough even if only 1/4 of it is 100%. It is also capable of total regeneration. This is the main reason Liver disease can be difficult to diagnose.
Just a reminder... an increased BUN can result from dehydration... again need more info if you care to share....
Were you vaccinating every 6-8 months? If not, he was only covered for 1/2 a year anyway. (and probably for the wrong sevovars anyway)
Been there, too... but you are not at fault here. There are over 200 different sevovars of Leptospirosis. You could not possibly be vaccinating for the correct strain as it hadn't been developed yet, and if it was, and your vet was using it, there was still a 4-6 month lapse if he was only being vaccinated yearly.
How many cases of Lepto has he seen? And how many dogs and cats has he seen the past year that didn't have Lepto?
I agree the new vaccine is cleaner and should not cause the same reactions as the old vaccine, but it is still new, along with the 'dental' vaccine and the Giardia vaccine and the flu vaccine. Personally, I will wait to see more evidence, but then again Lepto is not as prevalent in my area, and I take special precautions to avoid contracting it.
The main issue I have is vaccinating the dogs that weigh under 7 or 8 pounds. It would be so much safer for them if all vaccines were adjusted to the size of the animal being vaccinated, instead of one a 'one size fits all' basis as is done now.
There is risk too in over-vaccinating dogs, and can happen in large breeds too. This risk can be minimized by vaccinating with only one vaccine at a time, and allowing a month inbetween vaccinations. This and similar protocols create a stronger immuno-response against each disease being vaccinated against.
Again, not your fault. I'm sorry that he's ill and that I can't help you because of the lack of specific details in your post. (not that I could find anything that BC specialist would have missed) It would also help to post his age and the age he was neutered, and any history and meds he's currently taking (if any).
I do have two questions: Just curious as to why the 'elevated liver enzyme' wasn't rechecked in 3 months as opposed to 6 months? Usually rechecks are every 3 months until results show a decreasing trend... unless it's considered more critical and is tested monthly...
And was it suggested to put him on a low-protein diet (if he's not on one?). And was a Urinalysis done? (bc of kidney issue)
I do understand your reluctance to share the details, but then I'm confused as to why you would ask "to be sure we did not miss anything"? With what you have posted, I don't have a clue, so all I can do is to pray for you both.... |
KJC I did share - it was the Alkaline phosphatase that was mildly but persistently elevated since Barney had pancreatitis back in March. The ALP has waffled between 300s and 400s and blood work has been taken more than every 6 months, it's been taken multiple times.
All other blood work, including BUN and including BATs has been normal. The only other abnormality in the blood work has been creatinine 1.8. The urinalyses have been normal except for dilute urine and some oxalate crystals (now gone). The persistently but mildly elevated ALP led me to the BC internist so that "we would not be missing anything" because I am not one to delay or undercut on vet care.
BTW, Barney is almost 11.