Alkaline phosphatase level 7700. ALP

[janegfreeman57]

My male Maltese was diagnosed with cushings after having surgery for several bladder stones last July. He had a complete panel tested at UT for cushings done in August which came back positive. He was treated with a melatonin implant and flaxseed meal twice daily. In Dec a second panel was completed (also at UT) and he was worse so he was put on Lysodren. He is now taking a doseage on 125 mg every other day. New bloodwork last week showed his ALP to be 7700. My vet told me that normal ALP is 30-130 and Skooters was 700 in Dec. so now it is 11 times higher which is alarming! Skooter had an ultrasound and more blood work today to check into this further. We found out that he has bladder stones again and are waiting for his ATCH and cortisol levels to come back from the lab tomorrow. I am so worried about him and also very concerned about the ALP level being this high (the test was repeated a few times because theft thought it must be wrong but it wasn't ). Has anyone ever heard of these levels being so high? Thanks for any help you can give me!

[janegfreeman57]

PS. Skooter just turned 7 in December

[Roxee's Dad]

Hi and welcome to you and Skooter :)

I was not a Lyso dad but there are plenty of experienced Lyso members here to help you and Skooter through this.

If you have the results of the cushings test, it would be helpful to post them here in your thread. Does Skooter have any of the classic symptoms of cushing's, excessive thirst / urination, ravenous appetite, pot belly, muscle loss, hair loss?

With the ALP being so darn high, I was wondering if Skooter is getting any of those chicken jerky treats. What type of food is he eating?

Sorry for all the questions, :o but the more we know the more our members may be able to help.

Just hang in there and they will be along to help.

[addy]

Hi and welcome,

Wow, that is quite a spike in a short time. Did the ultra sound look at his liver? Were any comments made? High levels of alkaline phosphatase can be caused by other problems, not just Cushings.

If you could get together any and all tests and post the abnormal results here that would be very helpful. We have seen some pretty high levels in dogs but usually that is before treatment starts.

I know others will be along soon. Hang in there.

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to you and Skooter.

I am so sorry that Skooter is having so many problems. Bladder stones again! Oh dear, that is quite distressing. Which type of crystals does Skooter have that is causing the bladder stones? Bacterial infections can also lead a problem with stones and this can cause a high ALP too. Any type of infection can affect the liver and in turn cause the ALP to rise. My dog has a problem with crystals and has had a high ALP for years, usually in the 800 range, but now over 1000. 7700 is very high and I can see why they want to run tests to find out the cause of this. I can't remember at the moment which members have had them that high. Maybe some of the others can tell us.

John is correct, it would be very helpful if you could post the cortisol test results. UT has a good reputation for treatments of atypical cushings. Was Skooter diagnosed first with atypical? I am wondering because of the melatonin implant and flaxseed meal treatment.

What pancreas and gall bladder, kidneys have those been checked also?

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[frijole]

I have never seen an alk phos higher than 3000. I'm not even sure it's possible to be that high. I've been here 8 yrs btw.

I wouldn't mess around with a bunch of tests that could just be a waste of time and money - like shooting fish with a gun in the ocean. I would go straight to an abdominal ultrasound to see if there is something they can see regarding the organs such as a tumor.

Please tell us if anything else was abnormal on that test. It might help us help you. Thanks, Kim

[molly muffin]

Was anything other than bladder stones again, found on the ultrasound today?

Sharlene

[frijole]

:D I see my reading skills have been challenged. Sorry about that. Tell us more about the results of the ultrasound. Get a copy of the written report if you can and type it up. Let us know what all they viewed (which organs)

[KennyJ]

Just wondering what's the latest on your little Maltese. I too have a female Maltese with an ALP at around 3500.

[Budsters Mom]

Hello and welcome from me too.:)
I am sorry for the reason that brought you here, but so glad you found us.You have come to the right place! There are many K9Cushing's angels standing by to help and stay with you every step of the way. They love details, test results, any information you can get your hands on. The more the better. We will do all we can to help. It looks like you have gotten a lot of great advice so far. So again welcome to you and Skooter,

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

[molly muffin]

Hi, I just wanted to check in on you and Skooter and see how he is doing. Did they ever discover any cause for the ALKP to go up so high? I hope that everything is going okay for both of you

sharlene and molly muffin

[KennyJ]

I too would like to hear how your little one is doing. Being a Maltese owner myself I know just how lovable they are. Please keep in touch.

[Boober]

Boober's ALP is also extremely high in the 4000+ range as of May this year. It's been getting higher all the time since we first saw it elevated in Feb./11 and that time is was 700+.

[Budsters Mom]

I probably should know this, but is it Skooter or Boober? Bladder stones again, poor little guy.:( No, I have never heard of an ALP that high.:( Please keep us posted.

Hugs,
Kathy

[KennyJ]

Is Boober being treated for Cushings?

[molly muffin]

This is Skooter's thread, but Boober, whose thread is here:

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4238&page=5

also has a high ALKP.

Maybe you could ask on Boobers thread Kenny about treatment, and what is going on, so we can keep everyone together.

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[molly muffin]

I copied these over to Boobers thread too so the discussion can go on. :)

Hope I haven't caused too much confusion. :)

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Boober]

I posted on Boober's thread but I thought I would also post here that Boober is being treated for Atypical Cushings with melatonin and spruce lignans. Why her ALP is so elevated no one seems to know.