Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Liver lobe torsion causing vomiting and lethargy in large dogs
By Schwartz, Susanna G Hinkle et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2006·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Liver lobe torsion in dogs: 13 cases (1995-2004).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of large-breed dogs, including one that had two episodes, showed signs of vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite, which led their owners to seek veterinary care. Diagnostic tests revealed high liver enzyme levels, and abdominal ultrasounds helped confirm the diagnosis of liver lobe torsion, a serious condition where part of the liver twists and loses blood supply. Most of these dogs underwent surgery to remove the affected liver lobe, and 11 out of 12 dogs that had surgery survived and recovered well. If your dog is showing similar symptoms, it’s important to consult your veterinarian quickly.
People also search for: dog vomiting lethargy loss of appetite · liver problems in large breed dogs · liver lobe torsion surgery outcome
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine history, results of diagnostic testing, surgical findings, complications, and outcome for dogs with liver lobe torsion (LLT). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 12 dogs (1 with 2 episodes). PROCEDURE: Signalment, clinical signs, clinicopathologic findings, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings, surgical and histologic findings, complications, and hospitalization time were evaluated. RESULTS: The most common clinical signs were nonspecific abnormalities (eg, vomiting, lethargy, and anorexia) of acute or chronic duration. All dogs were large-breed dogs (median body weight, 37.2 kg [82 lb]). Biochemical abnormalities included high alanine amino-transferase (n = 12) and aspartate aminotransferase (11) activities. Results of abdominal ultrasonography were supportive of the diagnosis in 5 of 8 cases. Affected lobes included the left medial lobe (n = 4), left lateral lobe (3), papillary process of the caudate lobe (2), caudate lobe (1), and right lateral lobe (1). Exploratory celiotomy and liver lobectomy were performed in 12 of 13 cases, and in 11 of those 12 cases, the dog survived. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that development of nonspecific clinical signs of vomiting, lethargy, and anorexia in conjunction with high serum hepatic enzyme activities and mature neutrophilia in a medium-sized or large-breed dog should increase the index of suspicion for LLT. Abdominal ultrasonography with Doppler assessment may be useful in establishing the diagnosis. The long-term outcome for dogs that survive the hospitalization period is excellent.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16426198/