Paralysis Tick

Thanks Tom,

Will do this week. Early indications are she hasn’t lost any speed, her trial times have been on par but it’s the after run recovery that has changed.

Regards

Chris

Biochemistry

Alk Phos or ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) - Preferred Range 10 to 80 u/l
This enzyme is mainly produced in the bile ducts of liver and therefore high levels are generally associated with liver bile function problems. Smaller amounts are also produced by bone and elevated levels can also indicate rickets in young pups. Increased levels may also indicate problems with the Parathyroid as this regulates the levels of calcium and bone growth.

ALT (Alanine Transaminase) - Preferred Range 5 to 60 u/l
ALT is an enzyme produced in the liver cells (hepatocytes). ALT level in the blood is increased when hepatocytes are damaged or die.

The level of ALT in the blood provides to some degree a picture of current liver cell damage, but does not provide an accurate picture of remaining liver function.

When ALT blood levels are high it is extremely important to find out why the liver is damaging, and to provide support for the liver such as Livatone tablets and L-Carnitine injections.

What causes liver damage?
The main causes of liver damage are a bacterial or viral infection, or anything that causes liver inflammation. Such as severe bruising due to race collisions, toxic substances in the food supply, indiscriminate use of flea killing chemicals, heat stroke and inflammation of the pancreas.

The liver can also be damaged due to a reduced supply of oxygen killing liver cells. This can occur when a greyhound with anaemia is kept in hard work without repairing the anaemia, or a greyhound is consistently raced over a too long a distance than it is capable of running comfortably.

AST (Aspartate Transaminase) - Preferred Range 10 to 40 u/l
AST is found in various tissue, such as the liver, kidneys, heart, brain, and muscle tissue. It is released into the blood when any of these tissues is damaged. It is therefore not a specific indicator of liver damage, the levels in the blood can also increase due to muscle, kidney, or heart damage.

CPK (Creatine phosphokinase) or CK (Creatine Kinase) - Preferred Range 40 to 300 u/l
CPK is primarily found in muscle tissue, including heart muscle, and leaks into the blood when muscle cells are damaged. Therefore elevated levels generally indicate a muscle injury in one or more muscles, or is caused by a too hard or a too far a run, resulting in general muscle damage throughout the skeletal muscle structure.

Greyhounds with high CPK/CK levels need to be thoroughly checked for muscle injuries, and if none are found, should have a short spell and then be worked more gently with sufficient recovery time between runs until fully fit again.

PS. Keep in mind that all of the quantities a low level is best, and health problems exist when the preferred higher level for a racing Greyhound is exceeded. As far as treatment options is concerned you need to be guided by your vet as he/she is able to examine the Greyhound for other physical symptoms that may affect any treatment regime.

Cheers,
Tom