Gall bladder ejection fractions in dogs investigated for chronic altered appetite: 14 cases (2015-2017).

OBJECTIVES: To determine if gall bladder dysmotility occurs in dogs investigated for chronic altered appetite and to determine if gall bladder dysmotility warrants further investigation as a contributing factor to altered appetite. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case series of dogs investigated for chronic gastrointestinal disease. Gastrointestinal clinical signs were assessed before and after a 6-week hydrolysed protein diet. Gall bladder ejection fractions were determined at the end of the 6-week hydrolysed protein diet as part of an investigation that included a full blood cell count, biochemistry, abdominal X-rays and ultrasound. The gall bladder ejections fraction results of dogs with normal appetite were compared to dogs with general inappetence and dogs with diurnal inappetence in the morning. RESULTS: In this retrospective case series of 14 dogs, altered appetite was the most frequent and persistent clinical sign associated with chronic gastrointestinal disease. Nine dogs had suboptimal gall bladder function and this occurred in dogs with, and without, gravity-dependent biliary sludge. Gall bladder function and volumes of dogs in this study were comparable to those of dogs with nongravity-dependent gall bladder sludge or gall bladder mucoceles in other studies. There was an observable difference in gall bladder ejection fractions between groups defined by appetite but no statistically significant difference was present. Small sample sizes meant the effect size was large. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Gall bladder dysmotility and distension can occur in the absence of gall bladder sludge and mucocoeles in younger dogs. Gall bladder dysmotility requires further investigation as a potential contributing factor to altered appetite in dogs.

Clinical characteristics and histology of cholecystectomised dogs with nongravity-dependent biliary sludge: 16 cases (2014-2019).

OBJECTIVES: To report the available histology, biochemistry and clinical progression of dogs without classic overt biliary tract signs that underwent cholecystectomy for nongravity-dependent biliary sludge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case series of client-owned dogs for which a cholecystectomy was performed for nongravity-dependent biliary sludge. In six dogs, for which nongravity-dependent biliary sludge filled less than half of gall bladder volume, gall bladder ejection fractions were measured. Available histology, biochemistry, presenting clinical signs and post-surgical clinical progression were reported. RESULTS: Sixteen dogs were included in this retrospective case series. No dogs met the histological criteria for gall bladder mucocoeles or had histological evidence of primary hepatitis or cholangitis. Biochemistry was normal for 11 dogs. Hypercholesterolaemia was not noted in any dog. Twelve dogs had cholecystitis (11 lymphoplasmacytic, one neutrophilic) and nine dogs had biliary mucosal hyperplasia. Thirteen dogs had enteritis (12 lymphoplasmacytic, one eosinophilic) and nine dogs had reactive hepatitis (eight lymphoplasmacytic, one neutrophilic). All six dogs with nongravity-dependent biliary sludge that filled less than half of gall bladder volume had sub-optimal gall bladder function. Presenting clinical signs, including diurnal inappetence in the morning and exercise intolerance, resolved in 86% (12/14) of dogs after cholecystectomy and clinical improvement was noted in 81% (13/16) of dogs overall. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Duodenal inflammation could potentially impact gall bladder dysmotility in dogs with nongravity-dependent biliary sludge. Furthermore, diurnal inappetence in the morning and exercise intolerance could indicate symptomatic gall bladder disease in dogs with NDBS and can potentially precede more obvious systemic clinical signs associated with gall bladder mucocoeles.