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05-05-2009, 08:02 AM | #1 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chattanooga,Tn
Posts: 15
| Elevated liver enzymes Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and have been reading wonderful stories/posts from other yorkie lovers. My Freddie is 8 1/2 years old and has always been in great health (or so I thought). We had his blood work done prior to a dental cleaning and it came back with elevated liver enzymes, so, needless to say, he couldn't be sedated. His vet put him on Sam-E for a month to see if this would lower his ALT. He has never shown any symptoms of a liver shunt (which the vet said by now I would have noticed) no meds that would have caused the elevation. She said something about Cushing's disease. I've googled as much as I can about this. Anyone with any advice/knowledge about the liver disease in yorkies? We have changed his food from Little Ceaser to homemade. I've read a lot of great recipes but I'm wondering if I should add or subtract any ingredients to his diet that won't affect his liver. Currently we boil chicken, add no-yolk noodles and some white rice. The vet was okay with this, but I'm wondering about some variety and is baby food okay. I'm at my wits end. We love him sooooo much ( as does anyone that owns a yorkie or any pet). This news obviously explains my screen name, Thanks for any/all advise anyone can give me. |
Welcome Guest! | |
05-05-2009, 09:20 AM | #2 | |
Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island
Posts: 7,247
| Quote:
You current home made diet really isn't good. It needs to be balanced with vitamin, minerals, oil, supplements and calcium. If you want to home cook, it is best to consult with a Pet Nutritionist to create a balanced and nutritious diet appropriate for his condition. Let us know the results of the BAT ? OR let us know the result of what the Vet feels the issue is? | |
05-05-2009, 09:38 AM | #3 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Schaumburg, IL USA
Posts: 6
| We're going through this too - My two year old yorkie boy was scheduled for dental work and could not be sedated for the same reason. Doctor suspects shunts. He is now on amoxycillin and SAM-E for a month to see if that helps any, at which time if it does help he can get his procedure. |
05-05-2009, 09:53 AM | #4 |
Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island
Posts: 7,247
| If the Vets suspects a Liver Shunt or MVD - Was a BAT (Bile Acid Test) done? If not, this is really the next step in getting a clearer answer of liver issues. SAM-E is NOT going to make a Liver Shunt better |
05-05-2009, 09:57 AM | #5 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chattanooga,Tn
Posts: 15
| Additional info Thanks so much for your responses. Some additional info about our Freddie......his previous vet retired this year and recommended the vet we are now using ( first visit last month). Freddie has been on DermCaps ( fish oil) for about 2 months now. Our new vet started him on Cosequin capsules last month for joints. His liver enzymes were at 223 if I remember this right. Vet was okay with homemade food, however I agree he needs more nutrients than what I'm making. I'm researching pet nutritionist for further info on his diet. The vet did tell us she could order a special canned food for him but still wanted to see if the Sam-E was going to work. I not real sure on anymore canned food with so many recalls. His BUN and creatinine was normal, protein was high, glucose, cbc, rbc was all withing normal range. Alt and alkaline was elevated. I can't really remember the results from all she did, she only seemed to be concerned with the ALT. Will keep everyone informed. Thanks again for the quick responses. Please keep sending me any info that will help. |
05-05-2009, 10:04 AM | #6 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: AL
Posts: 465
| Logan had elevated liver enzymes, too. The vet put him on a low-fat food (Hills prescription) and retested. He came out much better, so no further action has been required. I'd have your dog re-tested, too. |
05-05-2009, 10:07 AM | #7 | |
Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island
Posts: 7,247
| Quote:
I have a Pet Nutritionist from Cornell University. I contact him thru emails explaining my dogs issues and needs. We work together on the ingredients and he creates and balances a diet. One diet cost $140 ~ but you know it is complete and balanced. Do you want his info? | |
05-05-2009, 10:26 AM | #8 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chattanooga,Tn
Posts: 15
| Yes, and thanks. |
05-05-2009, 11:21 AM | #9 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| While you would have most likely seen shunt symptoms by this age, some dogs goes their whole lives asymptomatic, especially with MVD. A bile acids test should be done. Homemade food is fine, but as Nicole said, it has to be balanced. L/D canned is an okay food if that's what your vet was talking about as is Royal Canin LS 14 kibble.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
05-06-2009, 07:21 AM | #10 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chattanooga,Tn
Posts: 15
| Update I spoke with Freddie's vet this morning and asked her about the BAT test. She wants to keep him on the Sam-E for the month and then retest. I was still concerned about his diet and the lack of nutrients. So she has ordered some Hill's l/d for him ( they obviously don't keep it in stock). And we'll see how he'll eat it. Like I said before, she our new vet and she doesn't know how all this is affecting my OCD !!! lol Bought a "pill popper" or some call it a "pill gun" in order to get him to take his meds. Still no signs or symptoms of anything wrong with him. Thanks so much TLC for the info on your nutritionist. Will hold off on contacting after the next blood work / possible ultrasound and biopsy. I did read somewhere on the web that an infection can cause elevated enzymes. She put him on antibiotics for a week prior to the scheduled teeth cleaning because she saw some infection in and around is gums. Also, previous vet always checked him for infected anal glands and last year that was a mess to clear up. Took him in every week for them to expel the gland. He show no signs of distress, i.e., scooting his little butt across the floor,etc. But then, he never has. Sorry for the lengthy post, just trying to get out as much info as I can with hopes of receiving as much as I can. OCD !!!!! Thanks again everyone. I do love my babies. |
05-06-2009, 08:58 AM | #11 |
Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Jersey Shore
Posts: 3,370
| Just a shot in the dark but was your little one bit by a spider or anything or near any toxics? About four years or so ago my Bella went out to pee and within minutes we found her lying still and not moving. I ran and picked her up and she stood for a minute then pooped and fell over. We immediatly rushed her to the emergency vet who proceeded to run blood work and tell us that Bella's Liver Enzymes were sky high. Bella was about a year or so then and she suspected Liver Shunt which she said usually shows within the first year of life. We were devestated and the very next day had her at our regular vet who kept her for the day. His suspicion was a spider bite. A Brown Recluse to be exact. I hope your little guys is alright. I know how hard it is to wait and not know. We lost our 10 yr. old to cancer two years this August and I remember waiting for results of each test taken and it was agonizing. Good Luck. Elaine |
05-06-2009, 09:00 AM | #12 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Schaumburg, IL USA
Posts: 6
| What is the SAM-E supposed to do - I thought it was to help get the liver numbers down. He did have a bile acid test and it was high. Also, my vet wanted him on low protein food. He loves his Royal Canine Yorkie food but it is high in protein, so she said to switch to Science Diet for the mature dog, small bites, which has a lot less protein. He's only just two and the food is for 7 yrs + but it is just for the protein thing. Also, how does that pill popper work? I am crushing the Sam-E and putting it in liquid in a medicine syringe. Thanks for any advice! |
05-06-2009, 09:59 AM | #13 | |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| Quote:
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 | |
05-06-2009, 12:17 PM | #14 | |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chattanooga,Tn
Posts: 15
| Sam-E Quote:
Only problem is my Freddie is too smart for his own good. He's used to taking by syringe,(pepto, benadryl) when he feels bad. But he definitely knows he doesn't want it when he's not feeling bad so he puts up a fuss with this Sam-E, but .....da - dah.....alpha female wins again!!! lol Thanks to all. This site is has been great for me. Patricia | |
05-06-2009, 01:52 PM | #15 | |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chattanooga,Tn
Posts: 15
| re:spider bite Quote:
Thanks for the info. From everything you've described, I'm sure he has not suffered from a spider bite, and I sure am thankful. You said you lost your 10yr old to cancer. Not to bring up bad memories or anything..but was he/she a yorkie? And what type cancer? Waiting is the worst thing ever. People say that dogs don't go to heaven ( touchy subject I'm sure ), but I sure pray for my little guys. And, personally, I don't believe they will be left here without me. Just my opinion and off topic I know. Thanks to all Patricia | |
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