AST & ALT

nyakuro

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My cat has not bee feeling well so we took him in for a blood test.  Aside from the AST(312) & ALT(186), everything was normal.  We are going in for ultra sound on monday.

My question is I've been reading various sites and see that AST and ALT are associated typically with liver.  But, all the threads and sites I've read, although both are high, ALT is usually higher that the AST. My case is the opposite, and I have not been able to find any case similar to mine.

Does anyone know what this can mean?
 

denice

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I know when Patches was very sick two years ago with two types of hepatitis caused by IBD the main number the vet watched was ALT.  186 is only slightly high, 100 or lower is considered normal.  Patches ALT got above 1200 before it started coming down.  ALT is a measurement of the enzyme that liver cells release when they die.  I don't remember anything about his AST level.  I am sure it was measured because he was getting complete liver panels and still gets a complete liver panel every six months but the vet kept me posted on his ALT level while he was sick.
 
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nyakuro

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Thanks for the reply Denise.

The Doctor did mention that these numbers are only slightly high and compared to some of the sites I've been reading, i see they are not extremely high.

I'm just hoping ultra sound won't reveal anything serious.  He did fall off the cat tree not too long ago.  According to some of the articles I've been reading, this could have a effect on the ALT & AST as well.

I know I won't get a answer until the ultra sound but I can't help it.  I'm trying to find a article to make me feel better.

I will post the result when I know.

Thanks again.
 

misty8723

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I have no experience with this, but just wanted to send some vibes your way


Waiting for an answer is stressful, that is the situation I'm in now for the past couple months.  I hope you will get good news about your kitty soon.
 
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nyakuro

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Thanks Misty.
 
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nyakuro

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Update on the current situation.

We didn't go through with the ultra sound, but got the x-ray instead.  The x-ray showed enlarged kidney, but nothing life threatening at the moment. After further review of the blood test, it was determined that low potassium was the cause of his difficulty in walking.  We have been giving him supplements to raise his potassium level.  This past couple of days, he has been able to walk on his own.

We’re due to take another blood test in three weeks to see if the potassium level is back to normal.  We will then be able to review further treatment plan for his kidney and liver.
 
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nyakuro

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It's been three weeks since the last blood test. We have been given him supplement recommended by the vet to raise his potassium level.  It only went up 0.3 which surprised me. He is more mobile and eating fine.  Aside from the weight loss (he is gaining them back little at a time), he is as good as he was before.

However, the new concern is that he is anemic. Last blood test showed the HCT level to be little low average, but it wasn’t bad.  But only three weeks later, it has dropped 0,6 and is now 17.

We understand it shouldn’t go below 15 and he may require blood transfusion, and the treatment can’t be determined without knowing the cause.  The vet is concerned with his enlarged kidney.  Cancer is suspected and the only way to know is Ultrasound and other tests.  If it was cancer, chemo is the only treatment and I’m not going to put him through chemo.

So I’m asking if anyone with experience can suggest anything that can help with the current situation.  Any info will be appreciated.

Thanks. 
 

peaches08

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The only thing I can think of is epoetin to help with the anemia. You'll have to ask your vet about that.

Sending lots of good vibes your way!
 
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nyakuro

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Thanks for that peaches08.

I looked into that but the side effect seems to be sever.  I guess it would depend on how much and how often I would have to give it.  I'll ask my vet about it.  In the mean time, I'm looking for food that contains plenty of B12 and iron.
 

peaches08

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Can you add cobalamin (B12) to the food? Maybe find an appropriate iron supplement as well?

Just a thought and please ask your vet for their thoughts on this: iron can be constipating and in humans has little effect on anemia if the erythrpoetin levels in the kidneys is too low. I don't know about cats, but I suspect it would be similar.

Please keep us updated on how you and your kitty is doing.
 
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