Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Progressive liver disease signs in Scottish Terriers
By Cortright, Catherine C et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2014·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical features of progressive vacuolar hepatopathy in Scottish Terriers with and without hepatocellular carcinoma: 114 cases (1980-2013).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 114 Scottish Terriers with liver problems known as progressive vacuolar hepatopathy (VH) were studied to understand their symptoms and outcomes. Many of these dogs showed signs of liver disease, and about one-third also had liver tumors (hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC). The study found that dogs with high copper levels in their liver were more likely to have liver damage, and some showed signs of hormone imbalances. Regular blood tests and ultrasounds are recommended for early detection of tumors in dogs with VH.
People also search for: Scottish Terrier liver disease symptoms · dog liver tumor treatment · progressive vacuolar hepatopathy in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To characterize signalment, clinical features, clinicopathologic variables, hepatic ultrasonographic characteristics, endocrinologic profiles, treatment response, and age at death of Scottish Terriers with progressive vacuolar hepatopathy (VH) with or without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 114 Scottish Terriers with progressive VH. PROCEDURES: Electronic databases from 1980 to 2013 were searched for adult (age > 1 year) Scottish Terriers with histopathologic diagnoses of diffuse glycogen-like VH. Available sections of liver specimens were histologically reevaluated to confirm diffuse VH with or without HCC; 8 dogs with HCC only had neoplastic tissue available. Physical examination, clinicopathologic, treatment, and survival data were obtained. RESULTS: 39 of 114 (34%) dogs with VH had HCC detected at surgery or necropsy or by abdominal ultrasonography. Histologic findings indicated that HCC was seemingly preceded by dysplastic hepatocellular foci. No significant differences were found in clinicopathologic variables or age at death between VH-affected dogs with or without HCC. Fifteen of 26 (58%) dogs with high hepatic copper concentrations had histologic features consistent with copper-associated hepatopathy. Although signs consistent with hyperadrenocorticism were observed in 40% (46/114) of dogs, definitive diagnosis was inconsistently confirmed. Assessment of adrenal sex hormone concentrations before and after ACTH administration identified high progesterone and androstenedione concentrations in 88% (22/25) and 80% (20/25) of tested dogs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that VH in Scottish Terriers may be linked to adrenal steroidogenesis and a predisposition to HCC. In dogs with VH, frequent serum biochemical analysis and ultrasonographic surveillance for early tumor detection are recommended.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25229531/