Elevated Liver Enzymes

[Dinkypeabody]

Hi,

Here's a brief rundown: Thibs is a 2.5 year old female

After not acting right (eating, drinking and pooping less) for about a week we went to local vet (Sept 28) that said they treat exotics - they ordered reglan for 5 days and suggested we see an exotic vet if not any better after.

After 3 days we made an appt. with exotic vet - he did a thorough exam, xrays and based on this he was thinking maybe it was her heart but wasn't 100% sure. Xray was not the best as it's used for "normal" animals. So, he gave her a fluid bolus, started her on a heart med, and an antibiotic (in case it was infection and not heart).

So...she wasn't getting any better so we went to another exotic vet a bit further away...based on exam and her running and hopping around the exam room, he didn't think it was her heart and decided we should stop the antibiotic and heart med, started her on meloxicam for possible pain and said to feed her leafy greens. We did this, she started pooping a lot more, though not the normal size, more active - kind of acting like herself.

Well, last week she started acting sick again - not eating the leafy greens but drinking water. Seemed her pooping decreased again. Back to the vet - xrays and bloodwork this time. Xray showed air in stomach and had to wait for bloodwork. So we went home on meloxicam, reglan and Phytomucil. Lab results came back yesterday: elevated BUN (related to dehydration) and elevated AST and Alk Phos. They want to start dandelion and milk thistle, which we are picking up today. It's not her teeth and it's not bloat.

Her initial weight was 660 grams and now she weighs 505. She's drinking water. On the last visit the vet said there was some food in her teeth, but if she's eating it's minimal. We've tried to give her ground pellets mixed with water in a syringe. But, after giving her meds, she doesn't want ANY food.

I feel so bad for her and feel like all I do is force meds and food down her. Thoughts? Opinions?

Thanks so much!!

 

[Cinder and Me]

What else are you feeding her? What type of food and hay?

Did they do a blood test - did anything else seem elevated/low?

So sorry your little girl isn't feeling well. I wouldn't give any more fresh fruits or vegetables though - they shouldn't be having any anyways.

 

[ticklechin]

How was the ALT enzyme? Was a fecal float done? Coccidia can cause liver failure and cause the high AST as the liver starts to fail. The ALT will be elevated if its hepatic lipidosis due to anorexia.

 

[AZChins]

It's completely possible she has a severe metabolism problem that is causing this. It could be her liver not working properly. It could be parasitic, believe it or not. Did they do any fecal tests at all?

You should get some critical care and feed her. The fresh greens aren't the best idea at this point since they could cause some issues in her gut and you don't want to compound the problems with bloat or runny diarrhea. Are they giving dried dandelions and milk thistle or an extract? Be very careful with dandelions, they work as a diuretic and may make it harder to hydrate her...but they do help with liver issues a little. Any other herbal supplements need to be researched and given sparingly because they can be as strong as some prescription medications and have undesirable side effects.

 

[ticklechin]

Also, if the chin was put under for the x-rays and bloodwork, the AST will be elevated when isoflurane is used.