Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Gallbladder missing in 17 dogs including vomiting and diarrhea cases
By Sato, K et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2018·Department of Veterinary Medicine, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Gallbladder Agenesis in 17 Dogs: 2006-2016.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 17 dogs, mostly Chihuahuas around 2 years old, were diagnosed with a rare condition called gallbladder agenesis (GBA), where the gallbladder is absent. Symptoms included vomiting, lack of appetite, fluid in the abdomen, and in one case, seizures. Most dogs showed signs of liver injury, and imaging tests revealed issues with their bile ducts. Fortunately, 16 out of the 17 dogs were still alive after follow-up, suggesting that while GBA is serious, many dogs can manage well with proper care.
People also search for: dog vomiting and liver problems · Chihuahua gallbladder issues · dog seizures and liver disease · treatment for gallbladder agenesis in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Gallbladder agenesis (GBA) is extremely rare in dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To describe the history, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of dogs with GBA. ANIMALS: Seventeen client-owned dogs with GBA. METHODS: Medical records from 2006 through 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Dogs were included when GBA was suspected on abdominal ultrasonography and confirmed by gross evaluation. Signalment, clinical signs, clinicopathological data, diagnostic imaging, histopathology, treatment, and outcome were recorded. RESULTS: Dogs were of 6 different breeds, and Chihuahuas (10 of 17) were most common. Median age at presentation was 1.9 (range, 0.7-7.4) years. Clinical signs included vomiting (5 of 17), anorexia (2 of 17), ascites (2 of 17), diarrhea (1 of 17), lethargy (1 of 17), and seizures (1 of 17). All dogs had increased serum activity of at least 1 liver enzyme, most commonly alanine aminotransferase (15 of 17). Fifteen dogs underwent computed tomography (CT) cholangiography; common bile duct (CBD) dilatation was confirmed in 12, without evidence of bile duct obstruction. Gross evaluation confirmed malformation of the liver lobes in 14 of 17 dogs and acquired portosystemic collaterals in 5 of 17. Ductal plate malformation was confirmed histologically in 16 of 17 dogs. During follow-up (range, 4-3,379 days), 16 of 17 dogs remained alive. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Dogs with GBA exhibit clinicopathological signs of hepatobiliary injury and hepatic histopathological changes consistent with a ductal plate abnormality. Computed tomography cholangiography was superior to ultrasound examination in identifying accompanying nonobstructive CBD distention. Computed tomography cholangiography combined with laparoscopic liver biopsy is the preferable approach to characterize the full disease spectrum accompanying GBA in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29377355/