How to Read Between the Lines of Bloodwork—Even If You’re Not a Vet

Every time someone sends me their dog’s bloodwork asking, “Does this look okay?”—I pause.
Not because I have all the answers (I’m not a vet), but because I’ve learned how much gets missed when we only look at the “usual” markers. Over the years, through natural rearing, mentorship, and many late nights studying canine health, I’ve seen a clear pattern: we’re often looking at liver labs… without really seeing the liver.

That’s why I wrote this.

This guide isn’t meant to replace your vet—especially not a good holistic one. Instead, it’s here to help you, the dog’s guardian (and possibly breeder), understand what’s going on beneath the surface. Because at the end of the day, you are the decision-maker. You live with this dog, love this dog, and want the best for them. And sometimes, making the best decision starts with simply knowing what questions to ask.

In a world where liver health often gets reduced to just “ALT looks fine,” this article invites you to look deeper—to understand what your dog’s liver really does, how it signals distress long before enzymes spike, and how you can use that insight to support true, lasting health.

Let’s clear the fog together.

Let’s learn to listen—to the subtle signs, the overlooked lab values, and the wisdom of the body.

Because your dog’s liver isn’t just an organ. It’s a compass.
And learning to read it may just change everything.

Let’s go beyond ALT. Let’s listen to the whole story your dog’s liver is trying to tell you.

When most dog owners (and many vets) talk about liver health, they’re really talking about just two numbers: ALT and AST. If those enzymes are high, the liver is “in trouble.” If they’re normal, we breathe a sigh of relief and move on.

But here’s the truth: ALT and AST don’t measure liver function. They measure liver injury.

These enzymes only appear in the bloodstream when liver cells are breaking down. No leakage? That doesn’t mean the liver is working well—it may mean it’s too sluggish, too depleted, or too compromised to respond. In dogs, this misinterpretation can lead to missed warning signs, poor dietary choices, and slow, quiet decline that isn’t caught until much later.

As a natural rearing breeder, I’ve come to believe we must rethink the way we monitor and support this vital organ—not just with bloodwork, but with daily, intentional care.

🍖 The Liver Is a Powerhouse, Not a Passenger

The liver handles:
• Detoxification (chemicals, medications, vaccines)
• Hormone clearance
• Energy regulation
• Immune surveillance
• Fat metabolism
• Nutrient storage (especially B vitamins, copper, and iron)

When the liver starts to falter, the whole dog falters.

But it doesn’t always scream. More often, it whispers:
• Dull coat or frequent skin flare-ups
• Fatigue after meals or lack of stamina
• Hormonal imbalances (especially in intact females)
• Digestive upset after fats or rich meals
• Anxiety, agitation, or even aggression
• Chronic yeast overgrowth (ears, paws, anal glands)

These aren’t behavioral or training issues. They’re metabolic whispers. And the liver is often the one doing the whispering.

🧪 Beyond ALT: The Markers That Matter (Yes, Even in Dogs)

Let’s go deeper. If you really want to assess your dog’s liver function—not just whether it’s breaking down—you need a broader, metabolic lens.

Here’s what I look for when reading bloodwork with my natural care lens:

🔹 GGT – Glutathione production & bile flow
🟡 Often low in quiet liver dysfunction (don’t ignore a low!)

🔹 Bilirubin – Bile flow & antioxidant role
🟡 High bilirubin? May signal oxidative stress or sluggish detox.

🔹 LDH / CO₂ – Mitochondrial energy turnover
🔋 How well your dog is producing and using energy at the cellular level.

🔹 Homocysteine – Methylation & detox load
🔥 High = stress. Low ≠ good. It might mean nutrient deficiency.

🔹 Uric Acid – Oxidative stress & purine metabolism
⚠️ Chronic elevation = overwhelmed detox pathways.

🔹 Ferritin – Iron storage + inflammation marker
🧲 High ferritin + low WBC = possible chronic immune strain.

🔹 CRP / Fibrinogen – Inflammatory terrain
📈 Persistent elevation suggests chronic inflammation or immune activation.

🔹 Albumin / Total Protein – Liver synthesis function
💪 Low values = potential trouble with protein metabolism or liver output.

🔹 BUN / Creatinine Ratio – Protein turnover
🍗 Reflects how your dog is processing protein and detoxing nitrogen waste.

🔹 Glucose, Insulin, HbA1c – Metabolic stress markers
💥 Show how the liver handles sugar regulation and stress recovery.

🔹 Chol:TG & HDL:TG Ratios – Oxidative fat metabolism
🐾 Reflect how efficiently your dog clears fats and handles oxidative stress.

It’s a lot—but the liver is a lot. It’s not just a filter—it’s your dog’s engine control center.

🧠 These markers tell a story—together. Learn to read the patterns, not just the numbers.

📣 Natural care = informed care. Your dog’s body speaks… are you listening?

❌ Common Misconceptions in Bloodwork (Even Among Vets)
• “ALT is normal—so the liver is fine.”
→ Not necessarily. A low GGT with a struggling dog could mean glutathione depletion, not good health.
• “Low homocysteine is healthy.”
→ Not always. It may reflect methylation blocks or low nutrient reserves.
• “High bilirubin is no big deal.”
→ Context matters. It may point to sluggish bile flow or oxidative stress.

Your dog’s bloodwork is a map—not a verdict. It shows compensation, adaptation, and early tipping points.

If you’re curious to dig deeper, I share more thoughts like this over on my blog. I know I often speak from the lens of a poodle breeder—that’s where my heart and hands have been—but everything I talk about really applies to all dogs. These insights come from years of living closely with them, learning to listen, and trying to make sense of the signs they give us. If something here resonated, you’re always welcome to come explore more. 👉 https://www.blog.danubepoodles.com

Picture credit : LightCellar