Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Gallbladder mucocoele in older small dogs signs and surgery outcomes
By Smalle, Tesh M et al.·Published in Journal of the South African Veterinary Association·2015·Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Gallbladder mucocoele: A review.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old Cocker Spaniel was brought to the vet for vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite. The vet diagnosed gallbladder mucocoele, a condition where bile builds up in the gallbladder, often seen in older small- to medium-breed dogs. Blood tests showed elevated liver enzymes, and an ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis. The dog underwent surgery to remove the gallbladder, which is the standard treatment for this condition. After the surgery, the dog recovered well and showed improvement in appetite and energy levels.
People also search for: dog vomiting lethargy gallbladder issues · Cocker Spaniel gallbladder surgery · elevated liver enzymes in dogs
Abstract
Gallbladder mucocoele (GBM) is an abnormal, intraluminal accumulation of inspissated bile and/or mucous within the gallbladder. Older, small- to medium-breed dogs seem to be predisposed, but no sex predilection has been identified. Clinical signs are often non-specific and include vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, abdominal pain, icterus and polyuria-polydipsia. Results of a complete blood count may be unremarkable, but serum biochemistry usually reveals increased liver enzymes. The ultrasonographic appearance is diagnostic and well described in the literature. Surgical intervention for the treatment of GBM remains the therapeutic gold standard, with short- and long-term survival for biliary surgery being 66%. The worst outcome is seen in those dogs requiring cholecystoenterostomy. With GBM becoming an apparently increasingly common cause of extrahepatic biliary disease in canines, it is essential that clinicians become familiar with the current literature pertaining to this condition. Numerous predisposing factors are highlighted in this review article and the role of certain endocrinopathies (e.g. hyperadrenocorticism and hypothyroidism) in the development of GBM is touched upon. Furthermore, the aetiopathogenesis of this disease is discussed with reference to the latest literature. Cholecystectomy remains the treatment of choice, but other options are considered based on a current literature review.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26824341/