Cornell Researchers Have Reliable Test system for Dog’s Liver damage

[TribalRats]

While pet food products tainted with liver-damaging aflatoxins have come under scrutiny as of late, Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine has developed reliable protein tests that accurately indicate a dog's liver failure caused by the toxin.

The Protein C Activity Assay, which is a human protein test that was modified by researchers at Cornell over the past three years for use on animals, is one of several tests Cornell veterinarians have been using to detect liver damage in seriously poisoned dogs. The tests are accurate and the results are available within 24 hours.

Aflatoxin decreases the production of cholesterol, as well as many proteins that significantly impact blood clotting.

Protein C
The Protein C Activity Assay test indicates levels of protein C produced by the liver. Dogs poisoned with aflatoxin show only 10 to 15 per cent of the normal levels of protein C, said Marjory Brooks, DVM, of Cornell's Animal Health Diagnostic Centre.

"A progressive fall in protein C levels appears to be a sensitive indicator," she said.

This test panel is currently only available at Cornell University. For testing, veterinarians draw blood from the dog and send it overnight to Cornell's Animal Health Diagnostic Center.

In order to accurately diagnose and detect seriously poisoned dogs, Sharon Center, DVM, Cornell professor of veterinary medicine who specializes in liver function and disease, said a combination of reliable tests should be administered. She recommended testing for the liver enzyme ALT to detect the level of organ damage, for serum cholesterol and total bilirubin concentration (to test for jaundice) and the activity of the anticoagulant proteins antithrombin III and protein C.

Late in 2005 and early into 2006 some dogs from the Eastern and Southeastern United States became either seriously ill or died after eating dog food manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods. The dog food was severely tainted with aflatoxin.

It is recommended that a dog owner consult their veterinarian when choosing a diet formula for their dog. Choosing a quality brand from a trusted company is very important. Careful choices by dog owners can literally be the difference between life and death for a dog.