yellow labd border collie mix's question about Cholestasis

Question

These were the findings during my dog's senior wellness exam.  He is an 11 year old yellow lab border collie mix who is showing no S&S of health issues.   He is eating, playing, no weight loss, no excessive thirst.   I didnt notice until the vet asked....but he does appear to be panting more than normal possible.  Xrays did not show anything.  My vet does not do ultrasound so they are recommending we drive out of town to an internist who does ultrasounds and get a liver biopsy.  Does that sound right?  We do not want to start expensive painful testing for no reason.
  AST   48
ALT   227
Alkaline Phos  1455
Cholesterol 677
Triglyceride 387
Proteinuria   3+

Pre and Post Post Meal Bile Acids   16.4  /  34.7

Accepted Answer

Cody's liver enzymes are moderately elevated, and his bile acids are also elevated which does mean that there is a problem with his liver, but in a dog with no clinical signs, we will often treat with medication and retest before pursuing further diagnostics.  If he doesn't respond to medications, or if he starts to show signs, then we may pursue biopsies if possible.  I don't know the rest of his lab work and can't examine him, so there may be a reason that your veterinarian wants to pursue those tests, but it may be reasonable to try medications first and see if his numbers improve.

Cholestasis in Dogs