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My puppy has high ALP levels. Is this normal for a growing dog?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Golden Retriever | Female | unspayed | 8 months and 20 days old | 45 lbs

Luna's Alkaline Phosphatase levels are 350 (normal range is 3-73). The vet has suggested a low carb diet and prescribed Demanarin capsules and Vitamin B supplements. What could be the reason of the elevation?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Makenzie Kurth, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 27th, 2018

She is a puppy. An elevated ALP is normal in puppies. ALP can go up because of liver problems, but also increases during bone growth. I see this elevation in about 80% of puppy bloodwork. I do not treat this as it it is not a problem and the value becomes normal when they stop growing. If there are other liver values elevated, then I am concerned, but ALP alone is not generally a problem. Per IDEXX, one of the largest veterinary pathology services in the United States, ALP values in puppies can be elevated 4 times normal (which is about where Luna is.) Denamarin, Vitamin B, and a low-carb diet will not hurt Luna, but they probably won’t change the ALP either. Best wishes to you and Luna.

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    Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 30th, 2017

    Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach to address your concern. The ALP being elevated in a young puppy like this is normal and to be expected. Growing puppies will typically have an elevated level due to bone growth. This is nothing to be concerned about. I would follow the recommendations for treating the symptoms as your vet should have recommended. If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am also available via consultation if needed.

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Related Questions

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Can excess carbohydrates cause elevated levels of Alkaline Phosphatase in dogs?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco. No, carbohydrates are not considered to play a role in ALP. However, I notice that Luna is 8 months old and ALP is often elevated in normal growing puppies (it is related to bone growth). In all likelihood, this elevation is nothing to worry about. Best wishes to you and Luna!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Luna's Alkaline phosphatase level is 284, direct bilirubin level is 0.18 and SGOT level is 71. What could be the issue?
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Luna! Can you post the blood work results so we can see the normal ranges from this lab and the units of measure? Also WHY was the blood work done, was she sick? Was it a routine screening? For a young growing large breed the ALP doesn't really worry me by US measure (again I don't know your labs reference ranges or what units of measure). The ALP can be increased in growing puppies due to bone growth. Also if this isn't an animal lab and is based off human values I am not sure we can really believe the results. Her values should be measured against normal dog ranges. To be honest I think her values are likely normal for a puppy. Please take a picture of the blood work and repost. We can help you much better that way. Have a good day
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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My dog has had blood tests his result for liver enzyme ALP is 184 it was 286 four weeks ago. The vet was not there to explain results can you please help
A mild increase in ALP is not particularly significant in my opinion in the absence of clinical signs or other hematologic changes. I would recheck the values in another 3-6 months for changes unless there are clinical signs of illness sooner. Other more aggressive diagnostics could be done however just to be sure nothing is wrong include ultrasound or other advanced imaging techniques (CT , MRI). There are also liver supplements such as Denamarin or Denosyl that help provide liver support. They are extremely effective in lower liver enzymes back to normal. Hope this makes sense.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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What might cause the elevation in the levels?
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Was Luna sick? Again I wouldn't worry about an increased ALP in a young growing dog. Other reasons for increased liver enzymes are: toxin, drugs, infection, inflammation, porto-systemic shunt (liver shunt), gall bladder or pancreatic disease or in an older dog cancer and cushings. I think the plan laid out by your vet and my earlier drug suggestions are good to follow if she is not sick and recheck her values in 4 weeks. Good luck!
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Hello.my puppy throws up blood,so i took her to a vet clinic and they did some examinations on her including blood and feces sampling.the test results are attached.what is her disease?!her own vet believes that it is gastritis.is it?!her ALP enzyme i
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My dog has increasing ALK phosphatase levels which are now up to over 1400. All tests are normal (blood work, ultrasound, biopsy, copper staining, etc). Medicine did not help. She is currently asymptomatic. At what point or enzyme level will she b
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ALP is 1,800 in her bloodwork today , vet referred me to another vet to treat it but didn’t answer my questions on treatment . Age 12 mini dauschaund . Any supplements would help ?
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What can cause a dogs ALP level to be extremely high at 893?
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Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Luna has her SGOT level of 71. What could be the reason?
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Luna. This value is a liver enzyme. It can be elevated due to liver disease or a skeletal muscle problem. Liver disease in young puppies can be congenital disorder such as a portosystemic shunt or secondary to an infection. When I have a result such as this, I will recheck blood work in a week. If the value is still elevated, then I will run a separate blood test known as a bile acids panel. This is a liver function test. The elevation could due to something as simple as her shaking during the blood draw (skeletal muscle), but you want to ensure she is not experiencing any disease. I hope this information helps!
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Hello. My 1 year old dog just got her lab work back and her ALT/SGPT (ALT) was elevated, at 137, when the normal range is 10.000 - 100.000 U/L. When tested 9 months ago her level was only at 32. She is going back in a couple weeks for a re-test and f
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