Diagnostic approach to gallbladder disease in dogs and cats

Abstract

Gallbladder diseases are relatively uncommon in small animals. Clinical conditions of the gallbladder include cholecystitis, gallbladder mucocele, cholelithiasis and neoplasia (e.g. biliary cystadenomas and biliary carcinomas). Gallbladder diseases are more common in older animals, and the clinical presentation of disease is similar to other gastrointestinal or hepatic diseases. Haematology and biochemistry often demonstrate nonspecific abnormalities including leucocytosis, neutrophilia, increased liver enzymes and hyperbilirubineamia. Endocrine diseases such as hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism are often found concurrently with gallbladder diseases. Ultrasound is a useful diagnostic tool for the investigation of gallbladder diseases but the significance of abnormal findings of gallbladder on ultrasound need to be assessed with care in combination with other diagnostics. Ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis can also be performed and its complication rate is low. Biopsy may be required for definitive diagnosis and, in addition, surgical intervention is often required for definitive treatment of gallbladder diseases. However, the mortality rate with surgical intervention in gallbladder diseases is relatively high.