What's the difference between dog liver function and chemistry tests?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The liver function tests commonly available in a routine chemistry panel are glucose, albumin, cholesterol and BUN. A more specific, though separate test of liver function is bile acids which is the gold standard as far as liver function goes. Good luck!

Liver and kidney values (ALT, Alk Phos, GGT, BUN, Creatinine) are on Chemistry panels which can be ordered separately from Complete Blood Counts that measure neutrophil counts (elevated with infection), hematocrit (a measure of hydration status), platelet levels (an indicator of clotting function). I recommend asking your vet for pricing for just the Chem panel vs pricing for a CBC/Chem panel if desired. Good luck!

I'm very sorry to hear this. Unfortunately, liver disease is very complex. We notice elevation of the liver enzymes on the blood testing but that does not tell us why the liver is sick - only that it is sick. Multiple tests need to be done and even then, sometimes we can't figure it out. This happens in human medicine too. There are just some cases that are difficult. A liver ultrasound to look at the liver and gall bladder along with a biopsy should be done to look at the liver tissue. That would probably give you the most definitive answer if that has not already been done. ( https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/liver-disease---testing )

Hello, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. When you get Rocky I would have your own primary vet repeat the bloodwork to get an updated baseline, and because the units measured and normal range can differ from one lab machine to another. If decreased liver function is suspected, you should plan to run a fasted bile acids (liver function blood test). The next diagnostic step would then likely be an ultrasound with a liver biopsy, if your vet thinks that’s necessary. Of course, I would defer to the vet who’s actually examining the dog, as there may be clues in the exam to justify going a different direction with diagnostics. But this is what I’d be anticipating. Hope this helps.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am not sure what is going on with Danny, but he is a young dog. The photo is very blurry but it looks as though ALL his liver enzymes are elevated: ALT, AST and ALP (alkaline phosphatase). These enzymes DO NOT indicate whether the liver is functioning normally or not. They indicate that the liver cells are leaking these enzymes in to the blood stream. This could be from liver inflammation secondary to an infection with in the liver or gallbladder, intestinal inflammation, pancreatitis, inflammatory liver conditions or cancer. In order to know if Danny's liver is functioning normally your Vet needs to do a bile acid test. Danny would go in fasted and then the Vet draws a blood sample. They then feed Danny and take a second blood sample an hour later to measure how the liver clears bile from the blood stream I hope this helps and Danny is ok

That list is quite long. However infectious (hepatitis, leptospirosis, etc), fatty liver syndrome (hepatic lipidosis), simple loss of function due to old age, cancer, toxins, etc. The best indicator of liver function is the bile acid test. Unfortunately we have no other early indicators of liver function because regular serum chemistry testing that looks at elevated ALT, AST enzymes will only be able to detect liver problems when more than 60% of liver function has been compromised. However the bile acid test is a direct measure of liver function.

These are 3 different blood tests commonly performed to assess overall health. The CBC (complete blood count) assesses the red & white blood cells and platelets. A chemistry 24 evaluates overall organ function, measuring values of liver and kidney enzymes, blood glucose, electrolytes and blood proteins. There are several different thyroid tests, which measure different thyroid hormones. Always remember that any test results are interpreted in light of clinical exam findings and any clinical signs that Hobbs may be displaying at home.