From:
sheziwa@pop.gis.net
Date: 2006-03-17 18:04:16 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Elevated liver enzymes--a different twist
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
My 8 yr old spayed ferret Shelly has a pretty lengthy medical history, but but basic details are that she's had both adrenals removed (2nd Sx was 3 yrs ago) and is currently on prednisolone for presumed insulinom (0.6mg BID).
Sh'e apparently got some adrenal regrowth. A Tenessee panel done in Fall of '04 showed estrogens in particular to be high, but the other androgens were also elevated. Since that time, her fur loss and vulvar enlargement worsened and did not respond to medical intervention (Lupron, Melotonin implant and oral, Arimidex).
I added a new supplement in her diet in December, and in January her vulva began to shrink down, and her fur started coming back. Causal or coincidence? I'm not sure. Because we had to up her pred in October, I have also eliminated most of the kibble from her diet. Shelly eats home-made duck soup twice a day with milk thistle and her glandular supplements from Standard Process. She also has ad lib access to Wysong Archetype.
Here (Finally!) is my question:
Last week, in preparation for planned surgery to remove a small benign growth on her ear, we did bloodwork. The CBC was fine, and so were most of the chemistry values. EXCEPT for the ALT, which was >1200. The Alk Phos was also slightly above normal.
This is a ferret with NO signs of liver disease, whose behavior and attitude are excellent, who is eating very well, who has not been subject to any recent trauma...
So, I am wondering if simply ingesting the organ meat of other animals would raise *her* blood ALT? Both the Archetype food and the Standard Process supplements contain beef liver...
For now I have stopped the supplements, except for milk thistle, and she has appointment for recheck bloods on Monday.
I'd just like some feedback--especially if any of you have a biochemistry background! :-)
And yes, I have already combed the archives, and yes, I know ferrets often have idiopathic ALT elevations but this seems SO grossly elevated that it's impossible for me to dismiss.
Thanks!
Skyla
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