This information is provided by Provet for educational purposes only.

You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

The enzyme Alkaline Phosphatase exists as several isoenzymes depending upon the tissue of origin.

Interpretation of increases in circulating Alkaline Phosphatase concentrations is complicated by the presence of several isoenzymes . These are formed in :

• Intestine - half-life 3-6 minutes
• Kidney - half-life 3-6 minutes
• Liver - half-life 3 days
• Placenta - half-life 3-6 minutes
• Skeleton - long half-life
• Corticosteroid-induced

A significant increase in ALP is usually due to the hepatic or skeletal isoenzyme but the increase may not be due to primary liver or skeletal disease. 

In addition to primary liver or skeletal diseases other associations with an increase in ALP concentrations include :

• Arthritis
• Bone fracture
• Cancer
• Diabetes mellitus
• Enteritis
• Growth
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Pyometra
• Urolithiasis

Last updated : October 2013