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My puppy is 6 months old female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was to be spayed. Her AKL Came back at 161 and we did a bile test today waiting on the results. Do you think this could be a shunt liver? I am so worried.

My puppy is 6 months old female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was to be spayed. Her AKL Came back at 161 and we did a bile test today waiting on the results. Do you think this could be a shunt liver? I am so worried.

Updated On April 6th, 2022

Pet's info: Dog | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Female | unspayed | 6 months and 2 days old | 11.4 lbs

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Answered By Jeffrey Milner

Veterinarian

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There is really very little sense in speculating. Even a positive bile acid test will not definitively diagnose a portosystemic shunt. Only advanced imaging techniques can capture this condition. Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme that is sometime utilized to support diagnoses of the liver and bile duct system. However, alone the number doesn't tell us much particularly in a young and from what it sounds like otherwise healthy puppy. The elevation you mentioned is also very mild, and we frequently see elevations in this enzyme in young growing animals. Just as it is found in the liver, it is also found in the bones which is why it is elevated during the time that pups are getting larger. I obviously don't know the whole situation and there is always the possibility your dog could have a shunt. However, so far you have given me no reason to suspect a serious problem. Please feel from to obtain a consult if you want to discuss the case in any greater detail.

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