What does it mean when a cat has high liver enzymes?
Cats with hyperthyroidism have increased levels of certain chemicals (enzymes) in the liver and, in rare cases, an excessive amount of bilirubin (a yellow bile pigment). Cats with excess bilirubin may have jaundice. Despite the elevated liver enzymes, the function of the liver is usually normal.
What causes high liver readings in blood test?
Elevated liver enzymes often indicate inflammation or damage to cells in the liver. Inflamed or injured liver cells leak higher than normal amounts of certain chemicals, including liver enzymes, into the bloodstream, elevating liver enzymes on blood tests.
What causes high liver lab results?
What Are Normal and Elevated (High) Levels of Liver Enzymes? Common causes of elevated ALT and AST are viral liver infections, alcohol abuse, cirrhosis (from any chronic causes), and more.
Will a blood test show signs of liver damage?
Blood tests A low level of serum albumin suggests your liver is not functioning properly. A blood test may also look for signs of abnormal blood clotting, which can indicate significant liver damage. Lab Tests Online has more information on liver function tests.
What can I feed my cat with high liver enzymes?
In general, diets for cats with liver disease should have:
- High quality protein to reduce the workload on the liver.
- Highly digestible carbohydrates.
- High quality fats.
- Added antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C and selenium to combat oxidative stress.
What can cause liver problems in cats?
Other Causes of Liver Disease in Cats
- Cancer.
- Infection.
- Parasites.
- Injury to the liver including trauma or decreased blood supply.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Foreign body.
- Acute pancreatitis.
- Heatstroke.
What does it mean when your liver test is abnormal?
Your liver tests can be abnormal because: Your liver is inflamed (for example, by infection, toxic substances like alcohol and some medicines, or by an immune condition). Your liver cells have been damaged (for example, by toxic substances, such as alcohol, paracetamol, poisons).
What can I do if my liver enzymes are high?
How is it treated? Treatment depends on what is causing your liver enzymes to be elevated. If your doctor thinks you have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or the metabolic syndrome, you will need to watch your diet, stop drinking alcohol, lose weight, and control your cholesterol.
What is a bad liver function test result?
Doctors consider a slightly abnormal liver function test as one that is less than twice the upper limit of the ‘normal’ value. Doctors consider a very abnormal liver function test as one that is more than twice the upper limit of the ‘normal’ value.
What does it mean if your liver function test is high?
Elevated liver enzymes may be a sign that a person’s liver is not working properly. Damaged or inflamed liver cells release enzymes into the bloodstream, which a blood test will detect. Doctors test people for elevated liver enzymes if they have symptoms of conditions that typically cause liver damage.
What are the first signs of a bad liver?
If signs and symptoms of liver disease do occur, the may include:
- Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)
- Abdominal pain and swelling.
- Swelling in the legs and ankles.
- Itchy skin.
- Dark urine color.
- Pale stool color.
- Chronic fatigue.
- Nausea or vomiting.
What should I feed my cat with liver problems?
What should you do if your cat has elevated liver enzymes?
Elevated liver enzymes in cats are not the end of the world, but are an indication that something is wrong. The results of the blood tests require expertise and experience to decipher, as the overall pattern and ratio between the various enzymes need to be taken into account. You have to work with your veterinarian on getting a proper diagnosis.
Why does my cat have high bilirubin levels?
Bilirubin is also included in the test. This is not an enzyme, but a product of hemoglobin breakdown that becomes part of the bile. A cat with high levels of bilirubin is jaundiced, but Dr. Miller warns against assuming that jaundiced cats necessarily have liver disease. There may be other reasons for jaundice, such as red blood cell disease.
How can I tell if my cat has liver disease?
What’s trickier is to identify ‘why’ the cat has liver disease. The tools your vet is most likely to use include ultrasound, and biopsy. Ultrasound: Gives a grayscale picture of the liver and helps the vet identify unexpected solid or fluid-filled areas, and abnormal blood vessels.
Can a blood test show elevated liver enzymes?
A blood test can show elevated liver enzymes. The blood test checks for raised levels of AST and ALT, which are enzymes that the liver releases when it becomes inflamed or damaged. If a doctor finds that a person has raised AST or ALT levels, they are likely to carry out further tests to determine the underlying cause.
How can you tell if a cat has liver disease?
While elevated liver enzymes can give information about liver damage, the bile acid test generally gives some information about liver function. Haematology – looking at the red and white cells present in the blood – this may give some indications about potential underlying infections or inflammation in the liver.
Why does my cat have a high liver count?
The vet said my cat has a high liver count or elevated levels. After a recent trip to the cat’s vet, due to an accident, the nurse said my cat’s blood tests show elevated kidney and liver counts. She also mentioned something about high white cell counts while I was putting Jack in his cat carrier.
What causes elevated white blood cell count in cats?
It cases where the elevation persists, or if additional liver enzymes begin to increase, we’ll pursue further diagnostics to assess the liver. Elevated liver enzymes and a high white blood cell count are often seen in cats with cholangiohepatitis — inflammation of the liver and bile ducts.
What does total bilirubin mean in cats blood work?
URIC ACID is a nonspecific value in cats, and does not indicate any disease processes. ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) is a sensitive indicator of active liver damage but doesn’t indicate the cause. TOTAL BILIRUBIN elevations may indicate liver or hemolytic (red blood cell destruction)disease.