What can elevated liver enzymes indicate in veterinary patients?

Elevated liver enzymes in veterinary patients indicate liver inflammation or damage. When the liver is under stress, either due to injury, infection, or disease, it releases enzymes into the bloodstream, leading to increased enzyme levels. Commonly measured liver enzymes include alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and their elevation is indicative of hepatic cell damage or dysfunction.

In contrast, healthy liver function would typically yield normal enzyme levels. Elevated enzymes do not reflect normal metabolic processes, as they suggest an ongoing issue rather than standard physiological activity. Additionally, liver enzyme elevation is unrelated to bone marrow issues, which involve a different set of parameters and indicators. Therefore, the presence of elevated liver enzymes strongly suggests some form of liver pathology, rather than healthy function or unrelated bodily processes.