Common causes of elevated alkaline phosphatase in dogs
Blood tests for our furry friends are an important part of preventive check-ups and diagnostic procedures. As a dog owner, it’s not easy to keep track of all the values. In this article, find out what the alkaline phosphatase (AP or ALP in dogs) is and what changes mean.
What is alkaline phosphatase?
The alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme that is found in many organs such as the liver, bones, kidneys, intestines, and placenta. Altered levels of the enzyme in the blood can indicate various diseases. In lab results, the enzyme is often abbreviated as “AP”.
The normal values of alkaline phosphatase vary depending on the testing method. It’s best to refer to the reference range provided by the laboratory.
What do changes in alkaline phosphatase mean?
Since alkaline phosphatase is present in several organs, the value in the blood can deviate from normal in various diseases. In the case of a deviation, the alkaline phosphatase in dogs is elevated and thus too high in most cases.
As a dog owner, you will often hear about this enzyme in connection with →liver diseases, because alkaline phosphatase is one of the so-called liver enzymes.
In addition to liver diseases, the following reasons are often responsible for altered AP values:
Cholestasis (bile stasis)
Cholestasis refers to a blockage of bile flow. Normally, bile is produced by liver cells and passes into the small intestine. Some of the bile is stored in the gallbladder. If there is a bile stasis, more alkaline phosphatase is produced, which increases the value in the blood.
Steroids
Steroids mainly include cortisol, which is used to treat certain diseases. Steroids lead to an increased production of alkaline phosphatase, which can also be detected in the blood. In the so-called Cushing's syndrome, the disease itself causes an increase in cortisol, which can also raise alkaline phosphatase levels.
Bone changes
Due to growth, young dogs have elevated AP values to a certain extent normally and this is not a cause for concern. Puppies also have different nutritional needs than adult dogs and therefore require →special puppy food.
However, if alkaline phosphatase is elevated in adult dogs, it can indicate a bone fracture, osteomyelitis or a bone tumor.
Other possible causes of elevated alkaline phosphatase:
Diabetes mellitus
The administration of phenobarbital to treat →epilepsy
For the interpretation of an altered lab value, it is always important to assess the entire lab result together with the clinical examination of your dog and, if necessary, further tests.
Trust your veterinarian when evaluating blood tests and have everything explained to you in detail. Together, you will find the best solution for your four-legged friend.
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Lowering alkaline phosphatase in dogs
If your dog has an elevated AP value, there is no direct remedy to lower it—and it’s not always necessary. The course of the value is what matters. Regular check-ups and monitoring of liver values are sufficient for now. If there is an underlying disease, it is important to find the actual cause rather than just addressing individual symptoms or values. It is important to consider the overall liver function, so that further steps can be taken if a therapy is recommended by veterinarians after diagnosis.
