If you have recently visited your veterinarian and the tests have indicated a high alkaline phosphatase, you probably have a lot of doubts about it, in this article of Animal Expert we will explain what is an alkaline phosphatase bred in dogs and how to reduce it.
It is an enzyme that is usually associated with liver-related problems, but can also increase in cases of bone disorders and other diseases, the values of this parameter can be known by a blood test and the veterinarian will prescribe this test if our dog has clinical symptoms or in periodic examinations, especially if he is over 7 years.
Next, we will explain what alkaline phosphatase is generated in dogs, causes and treatment.
An alkaline phosphatase produced in dogs may be associated with multiple disorders, such as:
Other causes of high alkaline phosphatase may be physiological, for example: puppies have high levels without any pathology, in this case this indicates that the bones are growing.
In addition, administration of certain medications may also elevate alkaline phosphatase, some of which are anticonvulsants, anthelmintics, antimicrobials, antifungals or glucocorticoids.
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Due to the multiple conditions that may be associated, both physiological and pathological, to know what a high alkaline phosphatase is, the veterinarian will take care of other parameters revealed in the analysis, as well as the symptoms manifested by the animal.
For example, a puppy with high alkaline phosphatase is normal.On the other hand, it is likely that an adult dog with these elevated levels and other signs, such as jaundice and increased urination and thirst, will be diagnosed with a liver problem.
This means that the value of alkaline phosphatase alone does not serve to say what the dog has, so it is essential that the veterinarian reviews all the tests and prescribes more, if necessary.In addition, if the dog is taking medication, it is necessary to inform the doctor as this may be responsible for the increase of alkaline phosphatase.
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Alkaline phosphatase tells us that something is not working well in the dog’s body, except in cases where this elevation is physiological, to reduce these rates it is necessary to start treatment depending on the cause that caused the increase.
Given the multiplicity of conditions that may be responsible for this increase, it is not possible to speak of a single treatment, since it will depend on the origin of the disease, to mention some of the most common causes, we can say that if diabetes is the cause of high alkaline phosphatase, the dog will need to be treated with insulin and follow a special diet, if we are talking about hepatitis an antibiotic treatment may be necessary, in addition, it is important to know that if the liver is irreversibly damaged, the dog will suffer liver failure.
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There are many diseases that can produce elevated alkaline phosphatase in dogs, many will present mild symptoms, that is, common to different pathologies that can also be acute or chronic, some are serious and others will require lifelong treatment.
It is very important to consult the veterinarian if the dog has symptoms, such as increased water consumption, increased secretion of urine, yellowing of the mucous membranes, vomiting, weakening of the body condition, fever, pain, lack of appetite or, conversely, considerable increase in appetite, etc.In most pathologies, early treatment is critical.
Although the dog shows no signs of disease, it must be accompanied by a veterinarian at least once a year and, if the dog is more than 7 years old, these clinical visits should include a thorough examination and blood and urine tests.detection of high alkaline phosphatase, as well as other altered levels, will occur as quickly as possible.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis.We suggest that you take your pet to the vet in case of any ailment or discomfort.
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