The importance of Liver Enzymes for dog health . If you find that your dog has a high level of Liver Enzymes, it probably makes you really worried about it, right? Today we will bring you information about Liver Enzymes of the canine liver.
What are the Liver Enzymes?
Liver Enzymes are the functional values of the liver. There are many kinds. It can be measured through a blood test which will indicate about your dog’s health and symptoms of many diseases, which vary according to the type of Liver Enzymes as follows.
1. AST.
AST (Aspartate Transaminase), formerly called SGOT (Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase). It is an enzyme that can be found in the liver, pancreas, bile, muscle, heart and red blood cells. If it is found that the dog has a higher level of this enzyme than normal. The veterinarian will check again to make sure what the cause of that or where is an abnormality. Usually, this enzyme is present in the blood quite a bit. Therefore, for a more accurate and detailed diagnosis veterinarians have to do a test and look at the enzyme ALT together.
2. ALT or SGPT.
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase), formerly SGPT (Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase), is an enzyme that can be found in both of the liver, kidneys, and the gastrointestinal tract.
3. ALP.
ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) is an enzyme that can be found in the liver, kidneys, intestines, bones and placenta (pregnant dogs). This enzyme may be elevated in dogs of all ages. However, you should once again ask the veterinarian to find the cause.
4. GGT.
GGT (Gamma glutamyl transferase) is the most commonly diagnosed aid in liver disease. Because it is the Liver Enzymes that directly represents liver disease. But most of the time, veterinarians rarely check this type of Liver Enzymes.
Symptoms of dogs with high levels of Liver Enzymes.
High levels of the Liver Enzymes can occur for a variety of reasons. Which dog owners can observe abnormalities from the following symptoms.
– Nausea and vomiting.
– Diarrhea.
– Anorexia.
– Weight loss.
– Sickness.
– Weak.
– Not active.
– Bleeding is easy and very unusual.
In addition, some dogs may also suffer from insomnia. However, the owner must keep observing and distinguishing the dog’s malfunctions. Because sometimes vomiting can be caused by a gastrointestinal infection. Or the dog may become anorexic due to stress and environmental conditions.
What is the risk of high levels of Liver Enzymes?
Dogs with high levels of Liver Enzymes can be at risk of many diseases, depending on the underlying cause and type of elevated liver enzymes. If your dog has a high GGT, he or she is at risk of developing jaundice, cancer, and pancreatitis. Dogs with a combination of high GGT and ALP are at risk of developing liver and biliary tract disease. For dogs with high ALP but not high GGT, they are at risk of developing bone disease. And finally, for dogs it has a high ALT alone. There is a risk of getting Cushing’s disease. In addition dogs with high levels of Liver Enzymes can also be at risk of hepatitis. Therefore, for the safety of your beloved dog if you notice some unusual symptoms. So you should take them to the veterinarian immediately.
How to care for a dog with a high level of Liver Enzymes.
In addition to providing medication and treatment according to the diagnosed disease. Veterinarians will often recommend to control and administer the dog’s diet accordingly to recover and lower the level of Liver Enzymes.
Here is the list of the foods that dogs with high level of Liver Enzymes should eat and should not eat :
1. Dogs with a high level of Liver Enzymes should be on a low sodium diet to help reduce the risk of ascites or abdominal swelling from the symptoms of high blood pressure in the liver.
2. Dogs with a high level of Liver Enzymes should receive adequate amounts of protein to meet their daily needs. The owner must choose high-quality proteins such as soy milk, tofu, yogurt and nonfat cheese. Because these proteins help strengthen the liver tissue even more. It helps the liver to fight infection well. And most importantly, high-quality proteins are easier to digest than low-quality proteins.
3. Dogs with high levels of Liver Enzymes values should eat vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, beans, and peas, as vegetables are good sources of vitamins and proteins. Moreover, the fiber in vegetables can also help eliminate toxins in your dog’s various systems.
4. Dogs with a high level of Liver Enzymes should eat high-quality carbohydrates such as brown rice, oatmeal, red beans, and potatoes, as these are easily digestible carbohydrates.
5. Dogs with high levels of Liver Enzymes should be given supplements such as milk thistle, which have two important functions: helping to restore liver cells and helps to strengthen the liver by detoxifying.
6. Dogs with a high level of Liver Enzymes should reduce their intake of low-quality fat and protein. Because protein and fat are the building blocks for the liver to work harder.
Dogs with a high level of Liver Enzymes can be at risk of many serious diseases. So if you do not want your beloved dog to be sick make sure to observe the symptoms and take them to have a physical exam regularly.