Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Biliary sludge changes over 12 months in dogs on ultrasound
By DeMonaco, S M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2016·Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Spontaneous Course of Biliary Sludge Over 12 Months in Dogs with Ultrasonographically Identified Biliary Sludge.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 45 healthy dogs over 4 years old were monitored for biliary sludge, a condition that can lead to gallbladder problems. Over the course of a year, most dogs showed no significant changes in the amount of sludge, with many remaining asymptomatic. While some dogs had a decrease in sludge, others experienced an increase or recurrence. This study suggests that biliary sludge is common in dogs and often does not resolve on its own, but many dogs do not show any symptoms related to it.
People also search for: dog biliary sludge symptoms · gallbladder problems in dogs · treatment for dog biliary sludge
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Biliary sludge is associated with gallbladder (GB) dysmotility and mucus hypersecretion suggesting a link between biliary sludge and the formation of GB mucoceles (GBM). If biliary sludge progresses to GBM, treatment to reduce the production and progression of sludge is warranted. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the course of biliary sludge in dogs. ANIMALS: Seventy-seven healthy, client-owned dogs ≥4 years of age screened for biliary sludge; 45 affected dogs identified. METHODS: Prospective, observational design. Serial ultrasound examinations were evaluated at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months to monitor degree of sludge based on proportion of GB filled with sludge (mild [0.01-24.4%], moderate [24.5-49.4%], moderate to severe [49.5-74.4%], severe [74.5-100%]), gravity dependency of sludge, and GB dimensions. RESULTS: After 1 year of follow-up, the degree of sludge was mild (34%), moderate (47%), moderate to severe (13%), severe (3%), or absent (3%). There was no significant difference in median degree of sludge over 1 year (P = .36). There were no significant changes in the gravity dependency of sludge over 1 year. A subset of dogs, 24%, with initial gravity-dependent sludge developed a combination of nondependent and dependent sludge. Dogs had resolved (2%), decreased (19%), static (40%), increased (29%), or recurrent (10%) sludge at the conclusion of the study. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Biliary sludge was prevalent, affected dogs remained asymptomatic, and it rarely resolves in healthy dogs over a period of 1 year. Some dogs developed nongravity-dependent sludge within 1 year, which might indicate changes in consistency of sludge.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26992049/