Hepatite lobular dissecante em dois caninos Golden Retriever não relacionados geneticamente / Lobular dissecting hepatitis in two Golden Retriever dogs genetically unrelated

ABSTRACT

Background: Lobular dissecting hepatitis (LDH) is a rare condition of unknown etiology occurring in individuals or in litters of young dogs from some breeds, having poor prognosis and short survival time. Clinically, ascites, weight loss, anorexia, diarrhea and acquired portosystemic shunts are present. Hepatic encephalopathy may also occur. Biochemical blood tests usually show elevated ALT levels. Macroscopically, the liver shows changes in volume, color and regeneration nodules. Histologically, dissection of the parenchyma by connective tissue proliferation leads to disorganization of the liver architecture. The aim of this article is report LDH in two Golden Retriever dogs genetically unrelated.Cases Two dogs genetically unrelated and of different owners - Golden Retriever breed - were referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the Universidade Luterana do Brasil (ULBRA). The first case was a female with 17 months of age and the second, brought to examination one year later, was a male with nine months of age. The clinical signs, in both animals were similar, consisting in intense prostration, inapetence, caquexia and ascites for approximately two weeks. The female dog presented also ataxia, convulsion and diarrhea. Blood examination showed, for both dogs, arregenerative anemia, normal levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase. Total serum protein and albumin were also reduced. Both dogs were euthanized due to their critical condition. The necropsy showed similar lesions in both animals approximately one liter of a free red colored fluid was observed in the abdominal cavity and hepatic changes consisting in pale green color, smooth surface, firm consistence, yellowish nodules at the surface and tissue proliferation at the margins. There was also congestion of the abdominal visceral veins (portal shunts)...