Evaluation of Liver Function Enzymes in Dogs Presented with Gastrointestinal Disorders at the University of Nigeria Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Enugu State

Gastrointestinal disorders constitute a prevalent presenting complaint in small animal veterinary practice, and their association with hepatic biochemical derangements remains clinically significant. This study evaluated liver function enzymes including alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and total and direct bilirubin in client-owned dogs diagnosed with gastrointestinal disorders at the University of Nigeria Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Enugu State, South East Nigeria. Forty dogs comprising twenty with confirmed gastrointestinal pathology and twenty clinically healthy controls were recruited over a six-month period. Venous blood samples were processed for serum chemistry using an automated clinical chemistry analyser. Dogs presenting with gastrointestinal disorders demonstrated significantly elevated alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities relative to control animals, indicative of secondary hepatocellular injury likely mediated by endotoxaemia and altered portal circulation. Bilirubin concentrations were elevated in seven of the twenty clinical cases, suggesting cholestatic components in a subset of the population. Age and body condition score were found to significantly influence baseline enzyme activities. The study highlights the importance of concurrent hepatic assessment in canine gastrointestinal cases and recommends routine liver function profiling as part of the diagnostic workup at veterinary teaching hospitals in South East Nigeria. Keywords: liver enzymes, gastrointestinal disorders, dogs, hepatic assessment, South East Nigeria.