ferret - Articles
Blood biochemistry: alanine aminotransferase
Synonym(s): SGPT, ALT
Overview
- Released to serum after damage to, or proliferation of, hepatocytes.
- Heart muscle may have similar ALT activity to liver, although not properly reported in ferrets.
- Low concentrations of ALT in erythrocytes and skeletal muscle may cause minor ALT increases in hemolytic diseases, muscle wasting, or muscle injury.
- Elevations, some of them significant and over 1000 IU/L, are commonly seen in ferrets with hepatic disease.
Uses
Alone
- May be indicative of liver disease.
In combination
- Detection of liver damage.
- Always combine with CK, AST Blood biochemistry: aspartate aminotransferase, AP and bilirubin.
Other points
- End-stage liver disease does not typically cause an increase in ALT because liver cells are not actively being destroyed.
Sampling
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Tests
Methodologies
- Varies between laboratories.
Availability
- Widely available.
Validity
Sensitivity
- May be good in ferrets for liver disease.
Specificity
- ALT is highly liver specific in the ferret.
Predictive value
- Amount and duration of increase is indicative of severity and chronicity of problem.
Result Data
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed Papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Li T, Yoshizaki S, Kataoka M et al (2017) Genetic and physicochemical analyses of a novel ferret hepatitis E virus, and clinical signs of infection after birth. Infection Genetics and Evolution 51, 153-159 PubMed.
- Vilalta L, Espada Y, Majó N et al (2016) Liver lobe torsion in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo). J Exotic Pet Med 25 (4), 321-326 VetMedResource.
- Hein J, Spreyer F, Sauter-Louis C et al (2012) Reference ranges for laboratory parameters in ferrets. Vet Rec 171, 218 PubMed.
- Hall B A & Ketz-Riley C J (2011) Cholestasis and cholelithiasis in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo). J Vet Diag Invest 23 (4), 836-839 PubMed.
- Hauptman K, Tichy F & Znotek Z (2001) Clinical diagnostics of hepatopathies in small mammals: evaluation of importance of individual methods. Acta Vet Brno 70, 297-311.
Other sources of information
- Fox J G & Marini R P (2014) Eds. Biology and Diseases of the Ferret. 3rd edn. Wiley Blackwell, USA. pp 835.
- Mayer J & Donnelly T M (2013) Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Birds and Exotic Pets. Elsevier, USA. pp 752.
- Fudge A M (1999) Laboratory Medicine. Avian and Exotic Pets. W B Saunders Co. ISBN: 0721 676 790.