High liver enzyme levels

Question
I have a 12 year old mixed breed female dog, about 48 pounds, who went blind about a year ago.  My vet couldn't find a reason for Lucy's loss of sight but at that time I requested a blood test be run and her liver enzymes came back slightly elevated.  Yesterday I had her in for another blood test and to have her checked for discharge in one of her nostrils.  The vet gave me an antibiotic (Cephalexin) for her nose and called today to let me know that the liver enzymes had gone up.  She didn't feel like it was something to be alarmed about and since Lucy isn't exhibiting any signs of liver disease she suggested that I plan to have her blood checked every six months to monitor her condition.  My concern is that I do everything possible for my dog to keep her in good health.  Lucy is currently taking 25 mg of Phenylproanolamine for urinary incontinence that she has had all her life (after being spayed as a puppy) and the antibiotics for her nasal problem, which hopefully will clear it up.  She was taking Rimadyl for about a month because of an old injury (torn cruciate ligament) but it didn't seem to help so I took her off of it about 2 weeks ago.  Her food is Natural Balance and I give her a supplement called Dinovite (www.dinovite.com), which she has been on for about 6 weeks and her coat looks much healthier and her eyes have stopped running.  I read Shelley Davis's response to a question about food for liver enzyme levels and thyroid condition and noticed a website for a vet she recommended, Dr. Kruesi, but when I tried to access that site it was no longer available.  I live in Northern California but I'm not familiar with a good holistic vet in my area.  I want to do what's right for Lucy so advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Laurie Wilson

Answer
Hi Laurie,

Please forgive the delay in getting back to you.  I have been focused on helping the animals effected by Hurricane Katrina.

Thank you for writing to me.  

You mentioned Rimadyl as a medication your dog has been taking.  Rimadyl is a very dangerous drug, known far and wide to cause liver problems.  If your vet didn't take a liver profile prior to perscribing this drug and hasn't followed up during the process and connected the dots between Rimadyl and your dog's liver issues, then you need to consider finding a vet who is more knowledgeble!  I don't know any other way to word this or my concerns for your precious pet.

Additionally, the liver is effected by numerous medications.  It also is a filter for the body and all the drugs that your dog is on may individually or in combination have an effect on the health of her liver.

It is imperative that your dog's condition be addressed as soon as possible.  Any medication that is not absolutely necessary should be halted temporarily, until you get to the cause of the problem.

In the meantime, I would start using a tincture of milk thistle which supports the liver.

Here is the website for the American Holistic Vet Medical Association.  You will be able to get a referral from them for someone in your area.  Note that holistic, doesn't mean excellent.  It just means that a vet has noticed that there is more to medicine than drugs and that nutrition plays a leading role in health and longevity!  Ultimately, you need to do tons of research, join holistic dog groups on yahoo where you can learn from others and keep a record of what is effecting your dog and everything else that may be connected to it.

It is my recommendation that if you are still vaccatinating your dog that you consider not doing it any more.  Your dog's immunity from vaccinations is quite likely intact and at the age of 12 it would be dangerous to expose her to something that is such a drain on the immune system.

If you want to consult with Dr. Kruesi regarding your dog's symptoms and test results, I am certain that he can be of help in solving the mystery and creating a positive treatment.  Here is the link:

http://www.crvetcenter.com/drkruesi.htm

The best of luck in solving your dog's health issues.

Please stay in touch and let me know how she is doing and how things worked out.

Regards,
Shelley Davis
www.bednbiscuit.com