Liver enzymes ALT level of 1500

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nessmuk@ntcnet.com
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Re: Liver enzymes ALT level of 1500

Post by nessmuk@ntcnet.com » 10 Dec 2021, 13:58

Well his ALT were up to 2300 so I guess I am off to Cornell Vet Hospital for my appointment next Wednesday. I am extremely bummed that even though his poop has improved so much I guess there is something else wrong. Any thoughts? Anything I should make sure to ask or prepare for? My vet will send his test results to them and hopefully they will have some insight on what could be causing his high levels. I am attaching a poop photo from yesterday. His poop has been pretty consistently similar to this and I have now begun to wean him off the tylan as you suggested.
Good news is he did gain a few pounds since his last visit.
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whiskey poop 12-9-21
whiskey poop 12-9-21
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Olesia711
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Re: Liver enzymes ALT level of 1500

Post by Olesia711 » 10 Dec 2021, 20:05

Ahhhh Geez Elisabeth, i am so sorry Whiskey's ALT was so high, 2300 :(:(:( this indicates that whatever is going on is probably more than SID..... good thing you are keeping the appt with Cornell on the 15th. .

At least his poos ARE better and that he even gained a little weight which is great. Also, i suspect that all those sensitivities may be what was contributing to the sometimes yucky poos...... hopefully now that you are aware of some of his strong food sensitivities, you can keep his SID under better control :)

Fingers crossed that the Cornell specialists will be able to figure out why his ALT is so high.

We'll be thinking of you and WHiskey on Wendesday ... sending tons of "lets figure this out vibes" and get Whisky better!!!!! please continue to keep us posted!
Olesia, was owned by Izzy, a 35lb Spanish Water Dog (SWD), Diagnosed at 1.5 years old - TLI results 1.. Izzy passed away on February 13, 2020 at 15 years old. She lived with EPI for 13+1/2 years. It was because of Izzy that Epi4Dogs was started... she was the inspiration. May her legacy of helping others with EPI continue for as long as needed.........

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Re: Liver enzymes ALT level of 1500

Post by Barb » 11 Dec 2021, 10:04

I am thinking of you, too, Elizabeth and hope the good people at Cornell can shed light on what is going on with sweet Whiskey. Sometimes we have to go down a different path to figure out what is causing the symptoms. Please let us know what you find out. We know how hard this is, the not knowing. Sending lots of good energy for Whiskey and wisdom for those studying his case.

Hugs.

Barb

Jane&Clyde
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Re: Liver enzymes ALT level of 1500

Post by Jane&Clyde » 11 Dec 2021, 12:59

I am so sorry to hear about Whiskey's ALT level. I don't blame you for being bummed. I'll be wishing for good news from Cornell on Wednesday.

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nessmuk@ntcnet.com
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Re: Liver enzymes ALT level of 1500

Post by nessmuk@ntcnet.com » 12 Dec 2021, 15:20

Thanks everyone for your kind words of support and encouragement. It means a lot knowing that I am not alone and that so many people are wishing Whiskey well. I will definitely keep posting of his progress so that maybe others may learn from our journey too. I feel so blessed to be only 3 hours from a good veterinarian hospital and know that they have experts that probably have seen his condition before...whatever it is. I will say his poop today was a little softer and a little yellow which may be due to the reducing of the antibiotic???maybe?? See attached photo.
Whiskey's 8th birthday is 12/16 and I know what his wish will be... to be all better and no more icky medicines or blood drawn. Poor thing shakes like a leaf when we drive into the vets parking lot.
It all is working out for the good as the three month wait for this appointment allowed me to try to get his SID under some control so we can deal with something else that may be wrong. I know that when I took another one of my dogs to Cornell they knew just what to do and really helped his condition. I have so much to be grateful for including this website and the wonderful people on the forum. May you all be blessed this holiday season and throughout the new year!
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Whiskey dreaming
Whiskey dreaming
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whiskey poop 12-12
whiskey poop 12-12
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nessmuk@ntcnet.com
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Re: Liver enzymes ALT level of 1500

Post by nessmuk@ntcnet.com » 18 Dec 2021, 21:21

Whiskey update: I took him to Cornell and they did various tests. Redo blood work - ALT 2084. They also redid an ultrasound and found some non specified nodules but no mass. They did a fine needle aspirate to collect cells from his liver. The results from the pathologist said no cancer cells but some copper cells. Also sent off blood for B12 and GI panels. Wont know results until next week. The Dr recommended completing a liver laparoscopic biopsy. I believe they will explore other areas too but not really sure I understand all of it. She wanted to get it done as soon as possible and was able to get him scheduled for surgery next Thursday. I take him in on Wednesday so she can check his platelet numbers and prep him for surgery. After surgery hopefully I can pick him up on Friday or Saturday (Christmas) at the latest. She assured me that the surgery will help identify the problem and give them good information on how to develop a treatment plan. To be honest I don't understand all of the various things that she believes may be causing the high ALT levels but have to trust that she has his best interest at heart. I always ask that they do whatever they would do for their own dog. I don't care what it costs or what I need to do to bring him back to better health. I believe that this short term pain and worry is hopefully preventing from a long term crisis later. We will deal with whatever they find. She also recommended that I change his diet to Purina's vegetarian hydrolyzed protein dry food for 4 week food trial. I am slowly transitioning him over to it now. They also recommended that I stop the probiotics, slippery elm and denamarin for now. She gave him a B12 shot before we left. His poop is a little softer now but I am thinking it is maybe due to the change in food. I did up his tylan back to the 1/4 tsp 2x a day. I had just begun the weaning off reduction period anyway. Thought that might be why his poop was softer. She said she will be recalibrating his dosage after the surgery. I am trying to remain hopeful that this will all lead to a clear diagnosis and treatment plan that brings my sweet boy back to perfect health. He is actually eating the new/old food mix pretty well which I am glad since I am not adding any of the usual toppers that I use to. I am happy that the vet was able to get him scheduled before the hospital shuts down for the holiday and also they are having a covid outbreak at Cornell so I am hoping that it doesn't interfere with his treatment. I know what I want for Christmas this year!
So does anyone have any wise words, or suggestions for me? Anything to ask or request from the vet? As always thanks for anyone's input!

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nessmuk@ntcnet.com
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Re: Liver enzymes ALT level of 1500

Post by nessmuk@ntcnet.com » 19 Dec 2021, 20:09

This is a copy of the report from the vet at Cornell.
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HI_SAIM_General_Home_Instructions_CMED_For_Whiskey______________554192.pdf
Cornell report on Whiskey
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Olesia711
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Re: Liver enzymes ALT level of 1500

Post by Olesia711 » 19 Dec 2021, 23:36

hi Elisabeth.

SOunds like Cornell is doing a good thorough exam. I understand stopping the supplements before the testing, that will be a cleaner picture of what is going on. I am not familiar with copper hepatopathy..... i hope with treatment it is reversable. ANd i am VERY glad to hear that they did not find any cancer cells... That is a huge relief.
However... the comment that his EPI is not under good control because they found fat in the feces, my understanding is that this is a misnomer. the enzymes do not fix EPI nor do they make EPI get better..... but rather they make the lack of nutrients being absorbed because of EPI more manageable. THe way you judge if things are being well managed is by the poop... and even then it can be confusing because the EPI can be well managed but if SID is out of control then you will still have loose stools .
Anyway, i just wanted to share this distinction with you to let you know that Whiskey EPI is under good control....... so that you don't worry that you are not doing a good job taking care of his EPI......... cause you are :)

Plese keep us posted and YES, i bet we all do know what you want for Christmas.. a healthy WHiskey :)
Olesia, was owned by Izzy, a 35lb Spanish Water Dog (SWD), Diagnosed at 1.5 years old - TLI results 1.. Izzy passed away on February 13, 2020 at 15 years old. She lived with EPI for 13+1/2 years. It was because of Izzy that Epi4Dogs was started... she was the inspiration. May her legacy of helping others with EPI continue for as long as needed.........

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nessmuk@ntcnet.com
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Posts: 49
Location: Upstate NY
Country: United States
State: New York
Pet name: Whiskey
My name: Elizabeth

Re: Liver enzymes ALT level of 1500

Post by nessmuk@ntcnet.com » 20 Dec 2021, 09:32

Thank you for your clarification and support! I am glad to hear you think they are doing a good job. It is good he is with specialists and at a facility that can do whatever is necessary to assess and treat his problem. I am so grateful to be only 3 hrs away from this opportunity to give him a fighting chance. He is eating well and acting pretty normal which makes me exceptionally happy. He is not in any pain and doesn't seem to have major symptoms of any of the possible illnesses therefor I have hope that we are catching whatever it is early enough to treat with a successful outcome of long happy life for my sweet boy!
I will keep you posted on his progress.
Take good care and may your holidays be blessed and 2022 bring you and all those you love lasting peace, abundant joy and excellent health!
Elizabeth and Whiskey
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Whiskey
Whiskey
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Jane&Clyde
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Re: Liver enzymes ALT level of 1500

Post by Jane&Clyde » 20 Dec 2021, 13:08

Wishing the best for you and Whiskey.

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