Ask Dr. Paola- Help! My Vet Suggests a Biopsy for My Dog! (June 15, 2026) – Dogster

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we convey professional recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.

Whether or not you’re a brand new pet father or mother or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may maintain your furry good friend blissful and wholesome. Keep tuned for professional steering on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the absolute best care in your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Assist! My Vet Suggests a Biopsy for My Canine!

“Hello Dr Paola,

I’ve a 10-year-old feminine mini Labradoodle named Riley. She weighs 14 kilos. We had Riley’s bloodwork checked lately, and her ALT was 1100 U/L and ALP 4400 U/L. She additionally had an ultrasound.

The vet has prescribed a medicine beginning with DEM (I don’t have it with me) for her liver. They stated that she has liver points, and so they put her on particular pet food for the liver. In addition they gave her an antibiotic.

What are your options? I’m actually upset as a result of we had this accomplished two weeks in the past. The physician is now recommending a biopsy, however I don’t wish to put her by means of that. She additionally has weak legs.”

 – Joanbe

Whats up Joanbe,

I can perceive why you’re feeling upset. In lots of laboratories, ALT values are sometimes under about 125 U/L and ALP values are sometimes under about 150 U/L, though reference ranges range barely. If Riley’s ALT is round 1,100 U/L and her ALP is round 4,400 U/L, these are substantial elevations that point out her liver deserves additional investigation.

Nevertheless, liver enzymes will not be a analysis by themselves. Consider them as a smoke alarm. They inform us one thing is occurring, however they don’t inform us precisely what began the fireplace. ALT is launched when liver cells are broken, whereas ALP can improve with bile duct illness, sure hormonal problems, remedy results, or other liver conditions. A canine with chronic hepatitis, gallbladder illness, a benign liver change, and even some endocrine problems might have related enzyme elevations, significantly hyperadrenocorticism, often known as Cushing’s syndrome.

This is the reason your veterinarian beneficial an ultrasound and is now discussing a biopsy. The ultrasound can reveal adjustments within the liver’s dimension, texture, and surrounding constructions, however it usually can not decide the precise reason behind these adjustments. A biopsy offers a small tissue pattern that may generally distinguish between irritation, scarring, copper accumulation, most cancers, or different liver ailments. The necessary query is whether or not the outcomes would change Riley’s therapy plan or present info that would enhance her high quality of life and long-term outlook.

The remedy you talked about that begins with “DEM” is probably going Denamarin, a generally prescribed liver assist complement that accommodates S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and silybin, a purified extract from milk thistle. It isn’t a treatment for liver illness, however it may well assist assist liver cells and is usually used alongside a therapeutic liver food regimen as a part of a complete therapy plan.

It is usually price remembering that many canines with liver disease can take pleasure in a superb high quality of life for months and even years with applicable administration, relying on the underlying trigger. As a result of Riley can also be experiencing weak spot in her legs, her general well being and luxury needs to be a part of any resolution about extra testing.

If you’re unsure about continuing with a biopsy, a session with a veterinary inside drugs specialist might allow you to higher perceive the potential advantages, dangers, and options. To get essentially the most out of that session, ask your veterinarian for copies of Riley’s full medical information, together with her blood work outcomes, urinalysis (if one was carried out), ultrasound report and pictures, any radiographs, an inventory of present and former medicines and dietary supplements, the liver food regimen she has been prescribed, and notes documenting her medical historical past and bodily examinations. Having all of this info accessible permits the specialist to guage the total image and supply essentially the most knowledgeable suggestions, serving to you decide that feels proper for each you and Riley.

Form regards and greatest needs,

– Dr. Paola

“Expensive Dr. Paola,

My adopted canine, Misha, is a combined breed. She about 10-years-old and weighs round 20 lbs. Misha wants dental work, which may embody tooth extractions. Might you please let me know in case your clinic can maintain this?

Thanks.”

 – Farid

Expensive Farid,

Thanks for reaching out about Misha. In the meanwhile, we do not need a bodily veterinary clinic, so we’re unable to carry out dental procedures, cleanings, or tooth extractions. Dental work requires an in-person examination, anesthesia, dental radiographs, and any essential therapy to be carried out by a veterinarian at a neighborhood clinic.

If you want steering on Misha’s dental well being, assist understanding a therapy advice, or help making ready questions in your native veterinarian, you may wish to schedule a session by means of Pangovet. Our veterinarians can present instructional info and focus on accessible information, however dental disease have to be recognized and handled by means of an in-person veterinary examination. I hope Misha will get the care she wants and feels extra comfy quickly.

Form regards,

– Dr. Paola

Assist! Ought to Canine Eat Pork?!

“Hello Dr Paola,

Ought to canines eat pork?”

 – Pat

Hello Pat,

Sure, dogs can eat pork, offered it’s plain, totally cooked, and provided sparsely. Pork is a extremely digestible supply of protein that provides important amino acids, together with vitamins resembling B nutritional vitamins, zinc, and selenium. In actual fact, pork is a typical ingredient in lots of industrial canine meals and veterinary diets. The priority will not be the pork itself, however how it’s ready. Many pork merchandise supposed for folks, resembling bacon, sausage, ham, and seasoned roasts, include excessive ranges of salt, fats, spices, or preservatives that aren’t best for canines.

As as to if canines ought to eat pork, that’s basically as much as their proprietor. While all canines have to eat a nutritionally balanced food regimen that features proteins and carbohydrates, there are a lot of completely different sources for these vitamins. Pork is one good supply of protein, however there are different choices as nicely. A very powerful factor is that your canine is getting the suitable sort and quantity of protein of their food regimen.

For those who select to supply pork as an occasional deal with, it needs to be totally cooked and freed from bones, seasonings, onions, garlic, and wealthy sauces. Uncooked or undercooked pork will not be beneficial as a result of it could include parasites or dangerous micro organism. Consider pork like a wealthy dessert. A small quantity may be loved safely, however massive parts or closely processed variations usually tend to upset your canine’s digestive system. As with every new meals, introduce it regularly and maintain treats to a small portion of your canine’s general food regimen.

Finest,

– Dr. Paola

 

This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection