Elevated Liver Enzymes in Dogs

First and foremost, if you suspect a problem with your pets liver, go to your vet for testing.

It can often be a difficult and daunting task to diagnose dogs with liver problems, unless you specifically test for it. The liver is a vital organ that performs several crucial functions. It metabolizes fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in the body, and plays an important role in clotting of blood, filtering toxins, and the safe disposal of waste. The liver also stores fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K and also secreted bile which is vital for the proper metabolism of fats. If the liver is damaged it means the dogs body will not be able to detoxify the various metabolic waste and by products. When the liver is malfunctioning, these canine liver enzyme levels often rise.

If your dog has already been diagnosed with elevated liver enzymes, here are some great tips:

-          Supplement with Kelp everyday

-          Give Milk Thistle (liquid or capsules)

-          High quality protein sources

-          Provide adequate drinking water at all times

-          Try to avoid high protein

-          Hepatic support vitamins

Liver disease is one condition where it makes sense to add grains, as soluble fiber helps remove ammonia from the system so the liver does not have to process it. Oatmeal is particularly high in soluble fiber and would be good to use, as long as your dog doesn't have any problems with it (use whole rolled or quick oats (cooked), which have more soluble fiber than instant). (http://dogaware.com/health/liver.html)

Common signs:

-          Constipation/diarrhea

-          Vomiting

-          Excessive Water drinking/is always thirsty

-          Frequent urination

-          Hair loss

-          Pale gums

-          Lethargy and depression

-          Accumulation of fluids in the abdominal cavity

-          Loss of appetite

-          Pale gray stools

-          Weight loss

 Personally, my 10 year old female chocolate lab was diagnosed at 8 years old (when I adopted her). I ran a wellness blood test and it came back with elevated liver enzymes. I was told by my vet to have her on a low protein. I tried the medi-cal hepatic diet sold by the vets for about a year and a half, and had her liver retested every 6 months. Every 6 months her liver enzymes went up. After paying an arm and a leg every 3 weeks for dog food (approx. $83 every 3 weeks), I tried something else. I visited my local pet store which had a brand new food to Canada; Canine Caviar. They have a special needs diet that is formulated for dogs with “special needs” and included is liver problems. I tried it. After 4 months it was time for her liver to be retested, and the results were amazing. She had lost 10pounds, her enzyme levels had stabilized and decreased. I also feed her kelp every day, and most recently started adding milk thistle in as well. (a review on canine caviar will be coming soon)  

I can only speak on personal experience about what has worked for my dog. I hope my story helps someone’s fur baby out there.

Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/elevated-liver-enzymes-in-dogs.html