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I'm a people-doctor and I'd like an animal-doctor perspective on what my dog's vet told me today. It didn't seem quite right, and I'm trying to decide if I should take him to another vet.
11 year old neutered male 1/2 lab 1/4 rottweiler 1/4 healer dog. 80 pounds. Current on vaccinations. We took him in because I thought he had developed some ascites and he had some right sided abdominal tenderness when I started poking him. He's been mostly asymptomatic, maybe a slightly decreased appetite, no weight gain or loss. No behavioral changes to speak of.
The vet did an exam (agreed that he had an enlarged liver), drew some blood, did a UA, and got abd plain films.
Blood showed a normal CBC and electrolytes. Alk phos elevated to 400, ALT 200. UA showed a UTI. Films showed the liver extending about 8 cm beyond his lowest rib, some bowel gas, no stones, no masses, nothing else the vet was concerned about.
The vet gave us some antibiotics to treat the UTI but kind of shrugged off the liver findings.
I'm a bit concerned that the exam/xray/labs showed an abnormal liver, but that we don't have a diagnosis or further diagnostic plans. Again, I've got a MD not a DVM, but in people a UTI doesn't explain away hepatomegaly, +/- ascites, and elevated liver enzymes. I'd appreciate some feedback from veterinarians or vet students on this.
Am I misinterpreting the data here? Is this a reasonable treatment plan? (For all I know, liver findings like this are common and unconcerning in dogs.)
Thanks, and sorry for posting a "diagnose my pet" kind of question on your forum.
11 year old neutered male 1/2 lab 1/4 rottweiler 1/4 healer dog. 80 pounds. Current on vaccinations. We took him in because I thought he had developed some ascites and he had some right sided abdominal tenderness when I started poking him. He's been mostly asymptomatic, maybe a slightly decreased appetite, no weight gain or loss. No behavioral changes to speak of.
The vet did an exam (agreed that he had an enlarged liver), drew some blood, did a UA, and got abd plain films.
Blood showed a normal CBC and electrolytes. Alk phos elevated to 400, ALT 200. UA showed a UTI. Films showed the liver extending about 8 cm beyond his lowest rib, some bowel gas, no stones, no masses, nothing else the vet was concerned about.
The vet gave us some antibiotics to treat the UTI but kind of shrugged off the liver findings.
I'm a bit concerned that the exam/xray/labs showed an abnormal liver, but that we don't have a diagnosis or further diagnostic plans. Again, I've got a MD not a DVM, but in people a UTI doesn't explain away hepatomegaly, +/- ascites, and elevated liver enzymes. I'd appreciate some feedback from veterinarians or vet students on this.
Am I misinterpreting the data here? Is this a reasonable treatment plan? (For all I know, liver findings like this are common and unconcerning in dogs.)
Thanks, and sorry for posting a "diagnose my pet" kind of question on your forum.