Choledocholithiasis in the dog; a review and a report of a case with rupture of the common bile duct

Abstract

Cholelithiasis is the presence of concretions in the gall bladder or bile duct. The veterinary literature is reviewed and a case reported. The subject was a seven‐year‐old male Schnauzer with presenting signs of depression, dehydration, pyrexia, icterus, vomiting and diarrhoea. Laboratory evaluation revealed a marked neutrophilia and elevation of SGPT and BUN. A radiopaque cholelith was seen on an abdominal X‐ray. Euthanasia was requested because of the patient's poor condition. On post mortem examination, local peritonitis and abscess formation around the common bile duct were occluding the outflow of bile and causing adhesions to small and large intestine. The cholelith was analysed and was found to consist mainly of calcium bilirubinate.

Prevalence and clinical relevance of cholelithiasis in cats: A multicenter retrospective study of 98 cases

“…We report an overall low prevalence of cholelithiasis in cats, comparable to that reported in dogs but much lower than in humans. 6,8,9,11,12 Symptomatic cholelithiasis was more frequent than IC in our population, in contrast to observations in dogs and humans. 6,7,10 These differences in prevalence and clinical expression could be related to different diseases leading to cholelithiasis or, more likely, to differences in the prevalence of these diseases between species.…”

“…We report an overall low prevalence of cholelithiasis in cats, comparable to that reported in dogs but much lower than in humans 6,8,9,11,12 . Symptomatic cholelithiasis was more frequent than IC in our population, in contrast to observations in dogs and humans 6,7,10 .…”

“…[8][9][10] In contrast, prevalence reported in dogs ranges from 0.03% to 13% with a more recent prevalence of 0.97% in a population of dogs undergoing abdominal US. 6,11,12 As in humans, choleliths are considered to be asymptomatic in 53% to 87% of dogs. 6,7 Most incidental cholelithiasis in humans remains asymptomatic throughout life and treatment is rarely required.…”

“…Cholelithiasis is reported in up to 20% of humans but is considered an asymptomatic and incidental finding in 80% of cases 8‐10 . In contrast, prevalence reported in dogs ranges from 0.03% to 13% with a more recent prevalence of 0.97% in a population of dogs undergoing abdominal US 6,11,12 . As in humans, choleliths are considered to be asymptomatic in 53% to 87% of dogs 6,7 …”