What Would You Do if It Was Your Dog: Viva's Elevated Liver Values

Viva

Hovawart
6 years old
spayed female

What Would You Do if It Was Your Dog: Viva's Elevated Liver Values

Viva was adopted when she was 5 years old. She has battled with several health issues over time. In the care of her new family, she has improved remarkably. Just when her dad figured they had everything under control something new showed up.

Viva's liver values were elevated.


Nothing crazy, nothing that would immediately warrant concern. Many things can change liver values, some of them temporarily. It was decided to monitor where they go and whether they might settle to normal over time.

Then Viva also became lethargic and lost interest in play. Another blood test showed that Viva's liver values not only did not improve but exploded to a really high level.

Now it was clear it was important to get to the bottom of it.


The reasons for that could have been many. A routine blood work measures more than one type of liver enzymes and which levels are elevated can help to nail down the cause. However, toxins, infections, certain medications, actual liver disease, gallbladder problems, metabolic and hormonal disorders, even cancer. And that's just a rough list.

The main liver enzyme that was out of control on Viva's blood work was the alkaline phosphatase (ALP).

What do you make of these things? What would you do it it was your dog?

Read Viva's story here.


Help others 

Share your story for a chance to win a free copy of Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog. To share your dog's story, email me at ranchjasmine@gmail.com


What is your dog telling you about their health?


Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog now available in paperback and Kindle. Each chapter includes notes on when it is an emergency.

Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog is an award-winning guide to help you better understand what your dog is telling you about their health and how to best advocate for them. 

Learn how to see and how to think about changes in your dog’s appearance, habits, and behavior. Some signs that might not trigger your concern can be important indicators that your dog needs to see a veterinarian right away. Other symptoms, while hard to miss, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or limping, are easy to spot but can have a laundry list of potential causes, some of them severe or even life-threatening. 

Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog is a dog health advocacy guide 101. It covers a variety of common symptoms, including when each of them might be an emergency. 

An award-winning guide for dog parents

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