Bilomas in a dog secondary to a bite injury

Abstract

An entire, Pomeranian, female dog was presented to the emergency unit with anorexia, fever, abdominal pain, jaundice and an inguinal hernia. The patient had been bitten by a dog 2 weeks earlier and was on antibiotics and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug without improvement. Ultrasonographic exam showed peritoneal effusion and hepatic cystic lesions. Fluid analysis was compatible with bile. Bilomas and an inguinal hernia were diagnosed. Computed tomography scan did not reveal the origin of the bilomas. Ultrasound‐guided drainage of the bilomas resulted in a slight improvement. The patient worsened, and an exploratory laparotomy was recommended. The owner declined the surgery due to a guarded prognosis and the dog was humanely euthanased. On postmortem examination, a small laceration of the common bile duct was observed, which was probably the cause of the biliary peritonitis. To the authors’ knowledge, this report represents the first description of intrahepatic bilomas secondary to a bite injury.