My senior dog has high liver enzymes. What's the cause and next steps?

Question

What could cause a senior dogg's liver enzymes to be high? Her bile test was normal, her liver did look enlarged a little. She also pants more and sometimes there is a high pitch that comes out of her nose when sleeping.

Ricardo Fernandez, DVM · Accepted Answer

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Liver enzymes can be elevated for a variety of reasons and thankfully, it is not always something severe or that needs treatment. This of course depends on many factors that I do not know at this moment such as which specific enzymes are elevated. However, normal bile acids test indicate normal liver function which is good. Some of the things that can cause liver enzyme elevation include hepatitis, cholangiohepatitis, Cushing's disease, among many other possibilities. Further diagnostics will depend on the specific pattern of liver enzyme elevation but can include abdominal ultrasound, a blood test for Cushing's disease, among other diagnostics. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further investigation of these changes. I hope that this is nothing concerning. Good luck!

My senior dog has high liver enzymes. What's the cause and next steps?

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