Liver function tests in dogs with portosystemic shunts: measurement of serum bile acid concentration
Meyer, D.J.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 188(2): 168-169
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 3700213 Document Number: 279997
Sulfobromophthalein excretion and plasma ammonia and serum bile acid concentratons were measured in 11 dogs with portal vascular anomalies. The fasting serum bile acid concentration was increased in all 11 dogs (78.9 .+-. 16.1 .mu.mol/L; normal, 2.6 .+-. 0.4 .mu.mol/L). For values measured in 8 dogs, the 2-hour postprandial serum bile acid concentrations was increased further (177.0 .+-. 26.4 .mu.mol/L; normal, 7.6 .+-. 2.3 .mu.mol/L). The fasting plasma ammonia concentration was markedly increased in all 11 dogs (246.9 .+-. 40.3 .mu.g/dl; normal, 27 to 15 .mu.g/dl). Thirty minutes after the oral administration of ammonium chloride, the plasma ammonia concentration was increased further in the 7 dogs (510.7 .+-. 45.5 .mu.g/gl; normal, 57.5 to 20.5 .mu.g/dl). Results of the sulfobromophthalein excretion test were abnormal in 10 of 11 dogs (12.3 .+-. 1.4%; normal, < 5% retention after 30 minutes).