Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pancreatitis with bile duct blockage in dogs treated medically
By Cleary, Kimberly et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2023·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Features, management, and long-term outcome in dogs with pancreatitis and bile duct obstruction treated medically and surgically: 41 dogs (2015-2021).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Golden Retriever was brought in for vomiting and abdominal pain, which were later diagnosed as pancreatitis causing a blockage in the bile duct. The dog was treated with surgery, which involved draining the bile duct, and had a high survival rate of 95%. In contrast, dogs treated with medication alone had a lower survival rate of 57%. The surgical treatment not only improved the dog's chances of recovery but also led to better long-term outcomes compared to medical management.
People also search for: dog vomiting bile duct obstruction · pancreatitis treatment in dogs · Golden Retriever surgery recovery
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Pancreatitis resulting in extrahepatic biliary obstruction (EHBO) can cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is utilized for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in humans; however, this is not available in veterinary medicine. Treatment options include medical management and biliary drainage procedures. The aim of this study was to describe the management of EHBO secondary to pancreatitis in dogs, treated medically and surgically and to determine whether the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) differ between the treatment groups. ANIMALS: 41 dogs treated for EHBO secondary to pancreatitis during the period of May 2015 to November 2021. METHODS: Records from 41 dogs diagnosed with EHBO secondary to pancreatitis were reviewed, and information extracted included clinical signs, ultrasound findings, NLR, PLR, histopathology, treatment, and outcomes. RESULTS: 18 of 19 (95%) surgical patients survived, while 12 of 21 (57%) medical patients survived. There was no difference in the length of hospitalization or time to return to adequate function between the groups; however, there was a significant difference in the 2- and 12-month survival between those treated surgically and medically. There was no difference in the NLR or PLR between surgically versus medically treated dogs or between survivors and nonsurvivors. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The mortality rate of surgery for EHBO secondary to pancreatitis may be lower than previously described, and in this cohort of dogs, those treated surgically had improved survival at 2 and 12 months compared to those treated medically.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37451676/