CockersOnline Forum

Cocker Specific Discussion => Health => Topic started by: shonajoy on March 18, 2004, 09:06:18 AM

Title: High ALT levels
Post by: shonajoy on March 18, 2004, 09:06:18 AM: Indies blood tests were *odd* as his ALT level was high for a puppy. The normal range was 8.-75. and his was 86. I've done some looking on google,and this seems to be indicative of a liver problem, so I'm worried.

Does anyone have experience of this, elevated levels?

Shona
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: PennyB on March 18, 2004, 10:34:41 AM: What did your vet say? As good as the internet is it can give worrying results which may not relate to your circumstances especially in the absence of other factors.
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: Jane S on March 18, 2004, 10:38:35 AM: I do have experience of a bitch with elevated ALT levels but she was a very ill dog in liver failure at the time with all the physical symptoms you would expect. Like Penny says, you need to discuss this with your vet - it could be nothing to worry about at all (we all frighten ourselves to death sometimes by reading internet sites though!)
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: shonajoy on March 18, 2004, 11:45:05 AM: The vet said it could be indicative of a liver problem, and wants to repeat the test. I know I shouldn't read those things online, I just felt yesterday was so emotionally overwrought that I didn't get the chance to speak properly with the vet. He sort of mentioned it at the end of the conversation, while I was holding Indie, and I wanted to just go home at that point, so I didn't ask all the correct things, I suppose.

Thanks guys. I've made an appoitment for tomorrow, so we can repeat the tests then. One good thing - the bill for yesterday was over 200 pounds, and will be even more by all the check ups etc, so my husband is very glad I made him take out the insurance.

I'm just worried sick to be honest, I also wonder at the point of putting him through this surgery if he's ill and in pain anyway.

Shona :cry:
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: Magic Star on March 18, 2004, 11:56:52 AM: :( Aww Shona, you have done the right thing love :) I would have done the same, if that helps :? I would wait for the repeat tests and see what your vet says!

Sometimes what you see on the net is worst case scenario, it could be something thats easily sorted, so try and not worry too much. Thinking of you :)
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: picklesmum on March 18, 2004, 12:53:23 PM: Wishing you lots of love and best wishes - this must be such a worry for you. I am sure Indie will be just fine though, how is he today? Hopefully milking all the extra attention!
Emma and Pickle xx
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: Jane S on March 18, 2004, 01:17:51 PM: Try not to worry too much Shona - the liver is an amazing organ & can often repair itself even if there is a problem like an infection or something. Hopefully it's nothing too serious & your vet will be able to put your mind at rest soon.

Jane
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: Shirley on March 18, 2004, 09:25:01 PM: Hi Shona

Just wanted to wish you and Indie good luck for tomorrow - I'm sure he'll be fine. I've vowed never to go searching for things like that on the internet again after worrying myself sick for a week that Morgan had KSC and it turned out to be just a grass seed - much relief but a lot of unnecesssary stress :wink: :D Let us know how it goes :)
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: *Jay* on March 18, 2004, 10:26:37 PM: Good luck for tomorrow Shona. When Vegas was 6 months, one of his liver enzymes came back high(can't remember which one) but I was told it was sometimes seen in young dogs and no need to worry. :? (even though worry is my middle name :wink: ). Hopefully your mind will be put to rest tomorrow - let us know how he gets on.
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: Gilly on March 18, 2004, 11:06:15 PM: Good Luck with Indie Shona.....feel awful for you thats the second time I've written that this week :( But as the others have said try not to worry too much...thats easy for me to say I know :wink:
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: Dessie on March 19, 2004, 01:01:13 PM: All the best with Indie Shona.
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: shonajoy on March 19, 2004, 01:27:20 PM: Quote
Good luck for tomorrow Shona. When Vegas was 6 months, one of his liver enzymes came back high(can't remember which one) but I was told it was sometimes seen in young dogs and no need to worry. :? (even though worry is my middle name :wink: ). Hopefully your mind will be put to rest tomorrow - let us know how he gets on.

Oh, Gill, thankyou, I hope it's the same for us. I'm leaving for the vets soon,

Shona x
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: shonajoy on March 19, 2004, 01:29:11 PM: Emma, Jane, Shirley,Gilly and Dessie = thanks for your support, you have no idea how much better it's made me feel. I go back to the vets at 2.30pm today, so I'm going to talk to them at length and gets these teste repeated.

Many thanks

Shona xx
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: shonajoy on March 19, 2004, 03:07:27 PM: Well, we just got the best news ever! The vet checked again, and said this is a miniscule rise, and he'd stake his reputation (I trust him!) on this being due to a steroid injection Indie got while suffering gastroenteritis 6 or so weeks ago! He says his other levels were all fine, and he's perfectly convinced we'll get a perfect level when we retest in 4 weeks!

Thanks for all your support, I can enjoy my boy again, I feel so relieved! His eye is healing well too, lol, but I can't believe this good news!

Off to crack open the champers tonight!

Shona :lol:
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: Magic Star on March 19, 2004, 03:09:20 PM: :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

AWWWW Shona I am delighted for you!!!!!

Thats brilliant news 8)
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: shonajoy on March 19, 2004, 03:26:54 PM: Thanks Emma, I'm so high I'm on the ceiling, I feel like a huge weight has been lifted, I couldn't have hoped for better news!

Sex and the city is on tonight, and I have a bottle of Absolut in the freezer, I'm celebrating! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

thanks!
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: PennyB on March 19, 2004, 03:36:25 PM: So you wasted a good worry then—time for a drink or two I think. Glad its a good result :lol:
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: shonajoy on March 19, 2004, 04:04:45 PM: LOL, wasted a good worry, that's good! I'm so glad I did, I'll be having a drink to celebrate when the kids are in bed!

Shona
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: Jane S on March 19, 2004, 04:05:03 PM: Excellent news Shona - well worth celebrating :lol:
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: picklesmum on March 19, 2004, 04:06:07 PM: Hoorah for Indie, the healthiest dog in town!
Here's to lots of yummy chicken tonight!
Love Pickle xx
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: Silver Surfer (indiesnan) on March 19, 2004, 04:42:33 PM: What brilliant news!!!! i'm so pleased for you. You must be soooo relieved. :D
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: shonajoy on March 19, 2004, 05:04:28 PM: Pickle, I had chicken again today, going to keep up this sick puppy act for a while longer.......

thanks!
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: shonajoy on March 19, 2004, 05:04:57 PM: Thanks Jane, I'm SO over the moon!
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: shonajoy on March 19, 2004, 05:05:30 PM: Thanks Barb and Nell, I'm just so happy right now!
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: *Jay* on March 19, 2004, 05:28:29 PM: Thats great news Shona :D (It means I won't be rushing in to get Vegas re-tested any time soon :wink: :lol: ). Sending Indie a huge kiss :P
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: shonajoy on March 19, 2004, 06:21:06 PM: Thanks Gill, your post earlier really reassured me, it was so good to know you'd been there and it had turned out ok!

Shona x
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: Shirley on March 19, 2004, 06:41:51 PM: You must be delighted Shona. I'm so happy that it was good news.

:D :D :D :D :D
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: milo's mum on March 19, 2004, 07:13:08 PM: What a relief. I'm so pleased for Indie and you.

jackie, steve and Milo
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: shonajoy on March 19, 2004, 07:27:06 PM: Thanks Shirley, I really am. I hope I never have that sort of scare again with him, he's so precious to us.
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: shonajoy on March 19, 2004, 07:27:33 PM: Thanks Jackie, I'm so relieved!
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: shonajoy on March 19, 2004, 07:28:11 PM: I've put a picture of Indie in the puppy gallery with his horrid buster collar on - he looks so miserable!
Title: High ALT levels
Post by: Gilly on March 19, 2004, 09:06:19 PM: Excellent new Shona :D I just saw Indie's picture in the gallery..he looks like he's taking it all inm his stride and lapping up the extra attention...typical cocker :wink: