When we run blood tests on your pet, we have the option of checking their liver values. While knowing about a pet’s liver health is always helpful, these tests can be particularly useful in certain situations. Read on to learn more.

Why might we want to check a pet’s liver health?

The liver has many important functions within the body, including breaking down toxins, producing substances that help blood to clot normally, and metabolising carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

It’s particularly important to check your pet’s liver health if:

• They are unwell or seriously injured
• They may be prone to liver problems (e.g. older pets and certain breeds such as Bedlington terriers or Dobermans)
• If your pet is about to start regular medications or undergo a procedure under general anaesthesia (so we can pick the safest drugs for them)
• If we suspect your pet to have eaten a toxic substance

What blood tests can we run for the liver?

The most common blood parameters we check when assessing the liver are ALT and ALP. These are enzymes (proteins used for chemical reactions) that can become elevated if the liver has been damaged. They can increase due to actual liver problems (e.g., a toxin or infection) or other issues affecting liver health, such as hormonal imbalances or shock (poor blood flow).

For an assessment of actual liver function, we can run other, more in-depth blood tests.

What happens if my pet has abnormal blood results?

If your pet’s blood tests show abnormalities, we will recommend further assessment or treatment based on its general health picture.

For instance, an older pet may be recommended to undergo an abdominal ultrasound to assess their liver appearance, whereas a pet who is suspected to have eaten a toxic substance would be started on appropriate medical treatment and monitored.

For more information on assessing your pet’s organ health, consult our organ-ised team!