A question or perhaps just a gripe!

[Laurie]

Hi All,

I have a question or maybe just a gripe regarding my lab mix. I took her in for bloodwork. She is 10 and I wanted to make sure everything was ok. The vet called with the results and told me everything was "OK". When I asked for the hard copy of her results, I was asked "why, can you read them?". I was insulted, it didn't matter if I could read them or not I paid for the blood work I wanted the results. When I received them I noticed immediately that on the Liver pannel the ALP "Alkaline Phosphatase" was high. Normal range is 0-140. Emmy's was 424!!! I immediately called the vet and was told it was ok, because the rest of the results were in the "OK" zone. (HUH???)

Now, I am going to spend another $100 and have a different vet draw blood and have it sent out (no in house tests). Has anyone ever encountered anything like this before?

I am concerned that her level was so high and the vet didn't seem to care. He just said he will keep her monitered. Unless I pressed the issue I would have never known she NEEDED to be monitered!!!. GRRRRRR.

Anyone have any suggestions, besides lose the vet! That's a no brainer. I am dissappointed however as this is the vet I use for the lab rescue dogs I foster. He gives the organization I volunteer with great discounts.

Thanks for any suggestions, and thanks for listening. It feels better to get it out in the open!

Laurie

"A good man will take care of his horses and dogs not only while they are young, but also when they are old and past service"
- Plutarch

[Cinder & Smoke]

Just a Thought ~

Rather than have New Vet take another blood draw - and re-test -

Ask him/her to REVIEW the First Tests and advise you what they mean.

If New Vet has concerns after the review -
THEN go ahead with another round of samples and New Lab tests.

[Laurie]

Good thought! I tend to panic when it comes to her. A second opinion with test results in hand will ease my mind!

Thank you!!! :)

[KYS]

Sheba has a blood panel done every year.
I always ask for a copy of the test for my records.
(You never know when you will change vets and
this way I have it)
My vet is not perfect, but he has always been
very good about answering my questions,
and returning my calls.
Doesn't hurt to get a second opinion, and maybe
you will find a better vet.

[Tonya]

My husband had a liver test like that recently. They told him the same thing...that they would just keep an eye on it. Apparently it shows that there has been some damage, but as long as it doesn't get worse, it is ok. I didn't like the answer either, so we had three opinions. All three doctors said the same thing.

[Cheshirekatt]

There are two liver levels that you should be concerned with. Unless both are elevated (AST/ALT?) then there usually isn't a problem.

[tomkatzid]

Well I'm glad you posted this. I never thought to ask for copies of any tests. Now I will. Kelcee has them once a yr and they tend to get a little better each time. but I've never seen it in writing.

[Sudilar]

Here is something about liver values: liver test values (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/1151/LiverDisease.html)

Killian has liver disease. His ALT is now always in the 390-400 range (normal <75). It has been higher. His bile acid test is high, 193 with normal being 13.

Good luck to you and your Lab.