Enlarged liver

Question
My dog recently was tested for Cushings, the test was negative. Now what? They say she has an enlraged liver, I saw the xray but I know nothing about an animals anatomy (I am an RN). The vet wants to do an ultrasound, will they have to sedate her for this procedure? I have recently started her on Milk Thistle and she also takes glucosamine for her arthritis. Her behavior has not been unusual. Should I let the vet go through with the ultrasound asap or can I wait and see if the milk thistle helps? Her only elevated liver enzyme was ALP (688). Any advice you can give me would be wonderful.  

Answer
If your dog is not symptomatic, you could hold off on ultrasound.  Continue the Milk Thistle and also add in SAMe at a dose of 200 mg a day as well as Vitamin E 1-2 unit per pound and B complex vitamins (one B50 for medium dog and two a day if your dog is over 60 pounds).  What you can do is have the liver value rechecked in a few weeks and see if it has come down.  If your dog has any dental disease or arthritis, that will also shoot up the ALKP value as it is not just an indicator of liver disease.  If there is dental disease, get a dental ASAP as well as have your dog put on antibiotics.


If you do proceed with ultrasound, you should get a liver biopsy done at that time.