Gallbladder Mucocele

Abstract

Gallbladder mucoceles have recently received much attention in the veterinary literature and have been perceived as a relatively new disease. Patients with gallbladder mucocele can be asymptomatic. However, most patients are presented for vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, and diarrhea. On physical examination, animals exhibit pain on abdominal palpation and are icteric. Rectal temperature is elevated if perforation of the mucocele is present. A recent publication identified proteinuria as a common finding associated with gallbladder mucocele. Bloodwork should be concurrently performed to evaluate kidney health. Ultrasonography has been useful in diagnosing gallbladder mucoceles and is 86% sensitive and 100% specific in diagnosing gallbladder rupture associated with mucoceles. The treatment of choice for a dog with extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction or peritonitis due to a gallbladder mucocele is surgical. The surgical treatment of choice for gallbladder mucocele is cholecystectomy.