Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Gallbladder sludge in dogs and what ultrasound shows
By Cook, Audrey K et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2016·From the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Gallbladder Sludge in Dogs: Ultrasonographic and Clinical Findings in 200 Patients.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 200 dogs underwent ultrasound exams, and many were found to have a thick, sludgy substance in their gallbladders. This sludge can be a sign of potential health issues, especially in older dogs, as those with more sludge were typically around 11 years old. Certain conditions like hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease) or hypothyroidism were linked to having more sludge. While the presence of sludge didn't directly correlate with specific blood test results, it may indicate changes in how the gallbladder is functioning. If your dog is older and has been diagnosed with these conditions, it might be worth discussing gallbladder health with your vet.
People also search for: dog gallbladder sludge symptoms · older dog gallbladder problems · Cushing's disease in dogs treatment
Abstract
Echogenic luminal contents are often noted during ultrasonographic examination of the gallbladder (GB) in canine patients, but the significance of biliary sludge is not well understood. GB contents were evaluated during 200 sequential ultrasonographic scans performed at a veterinary school, and sludge was quantified using a 1-5 scale. GB volume was retrospectively estimated from stored images. Medical records were used to determine patient demographics, clinicopathologic findings, and diagnoses/disorders. The majority of dogs (66.5%) had some hyperechoic material within the GB. Four dogs were diagnosed with a mucocele. For statistical purposes, dogs with uniformly nonechogenic bile or minimal sludge (80.5%) were compared to those with >25% sludge (17.5%). Dogs with >25% sludge were significantly older than those with minimal sludge (8 versus 11 yr). Serum cholesterol and bilirubin concentrations and activities of both alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase were not correlated with the presence of GB sludge. Dogs with spontaneous hyperadrenocorticism or hypothyroidism were more likely to have >25% sludge (odds ratio: 5.04). In addition, >25% sludge was associated with increased GB volume, suggesting that changes in GB function or contractility may impact the formation of biliary sludge in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27008319/