Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Miniature schnauzer with portal vein blood clots and liver disease
By Díaz Espiñeira, M M et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·1999·Department of Clinical Sciences, Netherlands·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Thrombosis of the portal vein in a miniature schnauzer.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A miniature schnauzer was brought to the vet because it was lethargic, not eating, and had yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). Tests showed high bile acids and liver enzyme levels, and an ultrasound revealed an enlarged liver on one side and a blood clot in the portal vein. The dog was treated with a steroid medication for liver inflammation, but unfortunately, there was no improvement, and the owner chose to euthanize the pet. A post-mortem examination confirmed severe liver damage and the presence of multiple blood clots.
People also search for: miniature schnauzer jaundice causes · dog liver disease treatment · why is my dog not eating and lethargic
Abstract
A miniature schnauzer with a history of apathy, anorexia and jaundice was presented to the Utrecht University Clinic for Companion Animals. Abnormal laboratory findings included highly increased levels of total bile acids and alkaline phosphatase, and hyponatraemia. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed that the right side of the liver was enlarged and the left side was small, together with a thrombus in the portal vein. Biopsies from the right side of the liver demonstrated subacute to chronic active hepatitis, for which the dog was treated with prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day for four weeks). No improvement was observed and the owner requested euthanasia. At necropsy the left lobes of the liver were found to be small and firm, while the right lobes were large and soft. There were two thrombi in the portal vein. Microscopic examination revealed chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10649599/