It also receives arterial blood as its source of energy. The liver is located above the stomach and is divided into lobes, or sections. There are 10 basic functions of the liver. Liver disease or dysfunction can affect or be affected by any of these metabolic events. There are various ways to test for liver disease.
Blood tests are the most common, but can be very difficult to interpret.
This is not indicative of liver function. The Alkaline Phosphatase counts indicate certain types of liver damage - especially disorders of bile metabolism and cortisone related disease. Bile acids and serum ammonia counts can indicate the presence of reduced liver function. Thanks to modern technology, many vets have access to ultrasound. This makes a picture of the liver's structure using sound waves.