SKIGHTLY ELEVATED LIVER ENZYMES

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

First, I have to say sorry for coming when I need you all most and not coming like I used to but "I need you most right now"

Daisy is now 8 years old. We took the two of them for their annual Vet "everything" visit.

We pointed out a teeny tiny little bump Mike felt on the middle of Dexter's back, Doc took a scraping, looked at the cells and said, thought they are not normal they don't look scary, best to send off to Pathologist, Pathologist thinks removal is best due to the type of tumor (tumor, I thought it was a bump, a cyst, a mole) that it would be best to take it out. Okay, doing that.

Then we moved on to Daisy's Senior (really? she's 8, she is my baby not a Senior but I digress) Blood panel. It came back with "slightly" elevated Liver enzymes, REALLY what exactly does "slightly" mean. OH NO, why, what caused this, she is fine, she doesn't show any symptoms of anything whanky. I am terrified. Liver problems have destroyed two very loved, very cared for, dogs in my recent past. I just can't handle it. Doc says, not to put the cart before the horse and let's this approach (because she is otherwise a very healthy girl with no issues like not eating, drinking, lethargic, not playing), we can start by giving her Milk thistle (silymarin) supplement for 30 days, recheck the blood and see if it brings down the level.

Does anyone else have a doodle with any such ailment, I feel so helpless. :-(

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Thank you Jane.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Thank you Jane!

[Terri Sassone]

As my mama used to say, "don't borrow trouble".  Everyone has given great suggestions. Breathe, love on your babies and keep on eye on everything.  Get blood redrawn in a month.  Paws crossed that it's nothing to get flustered about.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I like this method Terri.

Thanks

[Lynda Kamrath]

I am sorry to say, but I have had a lot of experience with illness in my doodles. Hondo, my heart dog, died of liver failure in 2010 when he was seven years old. Groucho Too, my beautiful phantom goldendoodle, died of cancer at 8 years, and Copper, a labradoodle, died of a massive heart attack at 9 years of age. My advice with the liver problems is watch carefully for any signs of jaundice. At the first tint of yellow, get to the vet. It advances very rapidly. And, I am also sorry to say, that it is what we feed our dogs that advance the illnesses. Hondo was on a diet of no processed foods for two years and he ate Happy Dog (bulgar and veges). He did fine with that but I cooked for him for those two years. Best of luck and I would treat liver problems in a canine the same way you would liver problems in a human. Hondo took human liver meds, and if you go that route, check out the costs at various pharmacies. Even two CostCo stores had different prices. Get a WRITTEN prescription from your vet and don't have them call in a prescription. This is just from my experience.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Thanks Lynda, you definately have some heart ache. So sorry. 

Don't worry, we are taking heed. Daisy and Dexter are on a good healthy diet and tomorrow Daisy starts her supplement with Milk Thistle. I admit I was a little freaked out but after some research, a friend or two with knowledge, a couple of discussions with our very understanding Vet I am staying positive.

Thanks for your advice.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Thank you, Karen, great reply.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Just got home from the vet and Kona has elevated liver enzymes. I remembered that Daisy had this issue so came here immediately to check things out more carefully. The vet said normal is around 100-120. Kona's was 280. We are going the milk thistle route for a month and then recheck. I hope Daisy is doing well! Please update when you know more. Thanking everyone for their input here.