Try not to worry to much about the bloodwork. My dog's last bloodwork last week had her ALP at around 2200 and her ALT at 450. We've been dealing with these high liver enzymes for a couple years now. I was told Cushings, then liver disease, then Cushings. I finally insisted on a U of Tenn adrenal panel and it showed all elevated sex hormones leading to the possibility of Atypical Cushings. Sometimes the ALT is lower and sometimes the ALP. My dog is doing very well at 12 with all the supplements I have her on regardless of what the blood test show.

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Want you to know that I am praying for Ruby and for you.
Please keep us posted!!

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[IMG]http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii215

Tonka & Tucker

SNOBEAR at the Bridge
Dec. 23, 1999-March 27, 2010


SMOOCH at the Bridge.
Feb. 14, 1999-Dec. 7, 2010

Well, basically her liver isnt functioning as well as it used to. Shes 10 years old. Also, with her urine PH being high and the fact theres struvite crystals makes me want to run a course of clavomox because while there was no infection found in the urine, I feel theres still one there because of the crystals. Not sure what the vet will say (I prefer the other vet there but hes gone for 2 weeks) but, I already know what *I* want her on its just a matter of hearing what the vet has to say. Im not going to do anymore testing.

I think Hepato Support, antibiotics and a food change would be a good start.

Cost of testing and meds 4 days before Christmas???? $300

Love of an old dog??? Priceless

Wont be having much of a Christmas now but at least we still have Ruby

Alright, the told me she could have Cushings Disease so end of January I will run that blood test to see. He said struvite crystals in dogs urine did not mean anything...just in cats . I got Hepato support, cranberry (Bought it myself) and Medi-cal dental with s/o index

I pray it's something else and not Cushings. ♥

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I been thru all the tests for Cushings with my dog and I would suggest the urine cortisol/creatine ratio test to start with. This won't diagnose Cushings but it will rule it out plus it's probably the cheapest if your concerned about costs. I'm assuming that the blood test your talking about is the ACTH Stim test? Cushings is very difficult to diagnose and this test is really not the best to diagnose Cushings. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. My dog had a postive ACTH test but she does not have Cushings as she then had a low dose dex suppression test which is the best test to diagnose Cushings and it came back negative. She's also had a few ultrasounds which can show enlarged adrenals and help to see what is going on. My dogs ultrasound did show enlarged adrenals. Even if Ruby has a positive ACTH test and the vet suggests the Cushings drugs I would be insisting on the LDDST and an ultrasound before I started any drugs as you don't want to be putting a dog that does not have Cushings on these drugs. I hope Ruby is feeling better soon.

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Im going to do the blood test. Its $66 for the blood test vs $55 for the urine test for cushings. If I do the urine test and it comes back positive then I have to do a blood test for it anyway so I will just do the blood test.

If the ACTH test does come back in the positive range for Cushings make sure you do the LDDST to make sure it's Cushings before your Vet insists on any Cushings drugs. This test will also tell you which type of Cushings it is and that will make a differece on what drug to use. Most regular vets do not know alot about Cushings so the more you know the better the questions you can ask. Ruby's liver enzymes are really not that elevated. Do you notice any trembling of her hind legs? Does she have incontinence?

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Did vet give her anything for the bloating? Do you think she's uncomfortable? I don't understand all the test results but my almost 10 year old Tess has developed congestive heart disease and is on all sorts of meds. I feel terrible when she coughs--I can appreciate how worried you are about Ruby. Keep us posted.

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.

What one is the LDDST test? I am limited budget so I dont have money for all this special testing. He said it could be the start of Cushings. I dunno, I didnt like her urine PH or Struvite or the fact he said both were fine when the lab said otherwise as did any google search. I dont have the money for a big surgery when the struvites turn into big stones :S She trembles all the time (seems like shes cold) but shes always done that. She only does it is seems when shes not cuddled up sleeping. No urinary incontinence that I notice

Vet gave her nothing. She's not uncomfortable