YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post

jsho10 · 05-25-2014, 08:26 AM

I have a 2.5 year old male Yorkie named Liam. He seems to be in good health, but I took him in to get him fixed a couple of weeks ago. They did pre-op blood work and found out he had extremely elevated ALT numbers. The normal range is around 12-118 and his number was 1043. They've since tested again 10 days later and the number was even higher. They did a bile test and that number was elevated as well so they were thinking he had a liver shunt. They did an ultrasound, x-rays, and some sort of neuroscan where they put something in his bloodstream so they can scan how it flows. That came back normal; blood is going to his liver normally, so they said there is no shunt.

The specialist put him on two antibiotics for 3 weeks and he was started on Denamarin liver vitamins. We go back in 3 weeks to retest his blood and see if the ALT number has gone down. All of his other numbers look normal. His liver was slightly smaller in the x-rays and in the ultrasound the vet said his kidneys were cloudier than she would expect for a dog his age, but nothing to worry about right now. She suggested blood work every 6 months to monitor his kidneys and liver.

The specialist suggested we do a liver biopsy next, but she seems almost at a loss for what's going on. I think she expected to find a liver shunt. His dad died at 7 years because he swelled up so bad. They never determined if it was liver issues or kidney issues. Liam isn't really showing any clinical signs of liver issues yet, thank goodness. But I'm extremely concerned because that ALT number is so extremely high. I've researched a lot online, but I'm at a loss for what to do.

Do any of you have experiences similar to this with your Yorkies? Can anyone provide any insight or guidance? Anything is helpful and appreciated! I just want to be providing Liam with the best possible care and keep him as healthy as possible.

05-25-2014, 08:26 AM	#1
jsho10 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2014 Location: Dallas Posts: 6	Extremely elevated ALT I have a 2.5 year old male Yorkie named Liam. He seems to be in good health, but I took him in to get him fixed a couple of weeks ago. They did pre-op blood work and found out he had extremely elevated ALT numbers. The normal range is around 12-118 and his number was 1043. They've since tested again 10 days later and the number was even higher. They did a bile test and that number was elevated as well so they were thinking he had a liver shunt. They did an ultrasound, x-rays, and some sort of neuroscan where they put something in his bloodstream so they can scan how it flows. That came back normal; blood is going to his liver normally, so they said there is no shunt. The specialist put him on two antibiotics for 3 weeks and he was started on Denamarin liver vitamins. We go back in 3 weeks to retest his blood and see if the ALT number has gone down. All of his other numbers look normal. His liver was slightly smaller in the x-rays and in the ultrasound the vet said his kidneys were cloudier than she would expect for a dog his age, but nothing to worry about right now. She suggested blood work every 6 months to monitor his kidneys and liver. The specialist suggested we do a liver biopsy next, but she seems almost at a loss for what's going on. I think she expected to find a liver shunt. His dad died at 7 years because he swelled up so bad. They never determined if it was liver issues or kidney issues. Liam isn't really showing any clinical signs of liver issues yet, thank goodness. But I'm extremely concerned because that ALT number is so extremely high. I've researched a lot online, but I'm at a loss for what to do. Do any of you have experiences similar to this with your Yorkies? Can anyone provide any insight or guidance? Anything is helpful and appreciated! I just want to be providing Liam with the best possible care and keep him as healthy as possible.