Causes Of Gallbladder Bile Duct Disorders
Inflammation of the gallbladder is usually caused by a bacterial infection that starts in the intestine and travels up the bile duct or spreads through the blood. Inflammation can also spread to the surrounding branches of the bile duct and the liver. If the gallbladder walls become damaged then bile can leak into the abdomen and cause infection and inflammation that can sometimes be fatal. Feeding your dog supplements with ingredients like Milk Thistle can help provide bile duct support by improving their liver function.
Obstructive dog gallbladder issues, or obstruction disease, can occur when an abnormal pancreas compresses the bile ducts that lead from the liver to the gallbladder. Compression of the bile duct can be attributed to pancreatic swelling, fibrosis, inflammation, or the presence of gallstones, which is rare.
Non-obstructive disease usually occurs as a result of a bacterial infection. If the gallbladder ruptures, it is usually caused by blunt trauma, gallstones, or gallbladder inflammation.
What Causes A Gallbladder Mucocele In Dogs
Lets back up for a minute to see how a gallbladder mucocele happens. There is still so much that veterinarians and researchers dont fully understand about gallbladder mucoceles, but here is what they have learned so far.
If the gallbladder isnt appropriately contracting to send bile to the intestines, bile acids build up inside it. This can cause inflammation of the gallbladder wall, which in turn increases mucous production, compounding the problem. The more mucous that builds up, the thicker the bile becomes, and the greater the chance of obstruction.
There is a presumed genetic component that predisposes some dogs to develop gallbladder mucoceles. They are more commonly diagnosed in Shetland Sheepdogs, Miniature Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, and Dachshunds.
Additionally, certain metabolic disorders can increase the chance of a dog developing a gallbladder mucocele. Pups with Cushings disease in dogs are 29 times more likely to develop a mucocele. Diabetes and hypothyroidism in dogs also increase the likelihood of a gallbladder mucocele. These conditions may alter the way fat is metabolized, and make it more difficult for the gallbladder to contract to release bile.
Diagnosing Gallbladder Disease In Dogs
There are a variety of tests that your veterinarian can perform to diagnose gallbladder disease in your dog. X-rays and ultrasounds may show gallstones, mucoceles, cysts, or tumors inside of the gallbladder. Blood tests may show elevated liver enzymes, bile acids, cholesterol, and bilirubin. Aspirates may also be taken to sample masses or fluid within the gallbladder.
Read Also: How To Improve Your Gut Microbiome
Clinical Signs Diagnosis And Treatment
Dogs with gallbladder mucoceles can exhibit a wide range of clinical signs from no apparent signs to lethargy, vomiting, icterus, abdominal pain and inappetence. In some cases, gallbladder mucoceles are found incidentally during abdominal ultrasound.
In cases where the gallbladder ruptures secondary to mucocele formation, clinical signs reflect bile peritonitis and are serious emergencies.
Although bloodwork and urinalysis are useful in the diagnosis of co-morbidities, there is nothing specific on routine bloodwork that is pathognomonic for gallbladder mucocele.
Gallbladder mucoceles have a characteristic appearance on abdominal ultrasound and this diagnostic modality remains one of the best ways to establish a diagnosis.
Once a diagnosis is made, treatment depends on the presence or absence of other disease as well as the severity of signs exhibited by the patient.
In patients with stable or mild clinical signs, treatment of any underlying disease is important. Specific medical therapy for gallbladder mucoceles includes starting the patient on a low-fat diet and beginning ursodiol therapy. Serial ultrasound monitoring every three months is crucial in patients managed with medical therapy.
In cases of gallbladder rupture, emergency surgery is required to remove the gallbladder and address peritonitis. Prognosis for these patients is grave.
Getting To The Root Of Bijous Problem
Unfortunately in dogs, lethargy, vomiting, and inappetence are somewhat nonspecific. I couldnt tell just by looking at him what was troubling Bijou, though I thought I could see a little yellow tinge in the white of his eyes. But maybe it was the lighting in the exam room. I knew we needed to do some diagnostics.
I started by taking X-rays. Maybe hed eaten something he shouldnt have? He wasnt the most trustworthy dog when his dad was at work. X-rays looked clearnothing was obviously wrong in his abdomen. We ran some bloodwork and thats when my level of concern raised significantly. Bijous liver values were through the roof. Apparently, I wasnt imagining the yellowing of his eyeshe really was jaundiced.
The next step was an ultrasound because I knew something was going on with his liver, and I hadnt seen an obvious problem like a tumor on X-rays. As it turned out, his liver looked ok on ultrasound. However, his gallbladder looked like a sliced kiwi when it should be a clear black circle. This odd appearance to the gallbladder meant Bijou had a gallbladder mucocele.
Recommended Reading: Can Fatty Liver Disease Be Cured
Improve The Function Of Your Dog’s Gallbladder With A Raw Diet
The gallbladder is an organ situated between the lobes of the liver, with a primary function of storing, concentrating and releasing of bile. Bile has many functions. It is important to your pets immune system, killing substances such as fungus and bacteria. It also serves to neutralize potentially toxic stomach acids and has the important work of stimulating food to move down the small intestine for processing. Due to the necessary functions of bile, a blockage caused by gallstones can lead to serious complications for the health of your pet.
The liver right nearby secretes bile, a substance that assists with digestion and absorption of fats and with elimination of certain waste products from the body. Bile is stored in the gallbladder and is released into the small intestine through the bile duct.
Jaundice is often the main sign of diseases of the gallbladder and bile duct. An exception is cancer of the gallbladder, which may not cause jaundice. There are quite a few diseases that affect the Gallbladder: Obstruction of the bile duct, Inflammation of the Gallbladder , Gallbladder Mucocele, Gallstones and rupture of the gallbladder or bile duct.
How can we help our dogs be healthier and happier throughout their lives? We want our dogs to live richly, but this seems much harder to achieve when diagnosed with a complication, such as a gallbladder problem.
How To Prevent Gallbladder Mucocele In Dogs
Prevention of gallbladder mucocele can be done only by preventing underlying causes.
Precautionary use of antimicrobials combined with a fluoroquinolone or aminoglycoside) has been used to control the risk of peritonitis though, if this is overused, it may spawn antibiotic-resistant organisms in due course.
Pet owners should discuss how to prevent or decrease the possibility of recurrence of gallbladder problems with their vet.
Recommended Reading: Recovery Time For Gallbladder Surgery Laparoscopic
What Is Canine Gallbladder Mucocele
The gallbladder is an excretory organ that plays an important part in your dogs digestive health. It stores and fortifies bile, which is required for digestion and to absorb vital nutrients. The formation of a mucocele can cause biliary duct obstruction, bacterial infections, reduced or disrupted bile flow, necrosis of the gallbladder wall, and gallbladder rupture, which can then cause septic peritonitis, or the leakage of fluids into the abdominal cavity. This can cause septic shock, which can be fatal for your dog. Early diagnosis is essential to successful treatment and recovery.
Canine gallbladder mucocele occurs when the gallbladder has become enlarged due to the accumulation of an excessive amount of mucus that has formed into a solid mass, or a mucocele. This is a serious condition that can not only cause pain, anorexia, and collapse, but can even lead to death if left untreated for too long.
Canine Gallbladder Mucocele Average Cost
From 450 quotes ranging from $500 – $4,000
Average Cost
Protect yourself and your pet. Compare top pet insurance plans.
Gallbladder Mucoceles In Dogs
Gallbladder diseases are common reasons for dogs to be referred to board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialists. One of the more common gallbladder maladies is called a gallbladder mucocele, an anomaly that results in abnormal bile flow.
Bile is made by the liver and facilitates the absorption of fat from the small intestinal tract. The liver contains very small channels that collect bile from liver cells. These channels subsequently join progressively larger ducts that ultimately empty into the gallbladder. The gallbladder is the storage depot for bile. When a dog ingests food, a hormone called cholecystokinin is released from the pancreas to cause the gallbladder to contract and expel the stored bile into the small intestine via the common bile duct.
Normal gallbladder anatomy. Image courtesy of The Merck Manual for Pet Health
What is a gallbladder mucocele?
A gallbladder mucocele develops when there is an inappropriate accumulation of inspissated bile and/or mucus within the gallbladder. Subsequently the gallbladder becomes distended with green-black gelatinous material that may occasional develop into a mass. The inspissated material can extend into the bile ducts, most notably the common bile duct, to cause a potentially life-threatening obstruction.
Who gets a gallbladder mucocele?
- Shetland Sheepdogs
- Cocker Spaniels
What are the clinical signs of a gallbladder mucocele?
What tests are needed to diagnose a gallbladder mucocele?
Urinalysis
Recommended Reading: Dog Bloated Stomach Home Remedy
Treatment For Elevated Liver Enzymes And Liver Disease In Dogs And Cats
Todays guest post features Ask Ariel! Ask Ariel Your Pet Nutritionist offers expert advice about pet nutrition and holistic pet health. Their exceptional quality supplements were developed based on Pet Nutritionist Susan Blake Davis experiences rescuing and rehabilitating homeless shelter animals. Ask Ariel supplements have been used successfully in veterinary hospitals since 2005 and are recommended by veterinarians nationwide. Purchases from links in this post provide proceeds that go 100% to furthering GARCs mission!
What Is Liver Disease in Dogs and Cats?
People Often Get Rid Of Their Gallbladders Because They Are Not Necessary For Life But Dogs And Cats Need Their Gallbladders To Live
You might be wondering why people get rid of their gallbladders while dogs and cats need theirs. The answer is that the human liver produces bile in the right quantities to break down food, but if you dont have a gallbladder, your liver cant make enough bile. This can cause problems with digestion that make it very difficult for you to eat anything other than mushy foods or liquids.
However, you can live without your gallbladder. Dogs and cats need to digest their food properly, so they wont be able to eat anything other than mushy food or liquid unless they get help from natural remedies . Natural remedies such as making sure your dog gets enough exercise and eats a nutritious diet can help him live a long and healthy life with no issues related directly to his missing organ.
The best way for both humans and animals alike is through natural remedies because these are safe for everyone involved including those around them who dont have any health issues themselves but still want their pets healthy too. Natural remedies range from vitamin B12 supplements all the way down to omega-3 fatty acids which may help with digestion problems caused by a lack of proper nutrients found only within an animals own body parts like its own organs
Recommended Reading: Liver Cancer Stage 2 Survival Rate
Why Diet Is Important
When your dog is having issues, the best diet for them is a fresh, natural one with the use of minimally processed ingredients and whole food sources.Diets like Volhard Rescue consist of fresh, natural, food-grade ingredients and when fed with raw protein , managed fat levels, and the appropriate vegetables and herbs issues with the gallbladder can be managed. You can find our Volhard case study, a 21-day cleansing and balancing diet for a 50-pound dog, and a brief discussion on Traditional Chinese Medicine here.
A healthy, quality diet is the first step to take to ensure that your dog has a healthy immune system, a happy digestive system, and a fully-functional gallbladder.
We want to help you and your dog along your journey, which is why we are now offering consultations for clients and potential clients who want to know how to tailor the Volhard Natural diets to their dog’s gallbladder needs. We will work with your vet to get the diet that will improve your dog’s longevity and quality. You can schedule a consultation with Jen, our certified nutritionist, when you click the button below!
Special Precautions For Using Ursodiol
Ursodiol should only be administered to the pet it has been prescribed for. The medication should be kept well out of reach of children and pets.Ursodiol should not be prescribed to pets with known biliary obstruction, fistula, or other complications associated with gallstones or pancreatitis unless the benefits outweigh the risks. While this drug has been shown to be effective at treating small animals, it should not be administered to rabbits or other hindgut fermenters.
In some patients diagnosed with chronic liver-disease, ursodiol can cause increased difficulty with bile acid metabolism, so careful monitoring is required. It is currently unknown if ursodiol is excreted in breast milk, so it should be used with caution in pregnant or nursing pets.
Read Also: Why Is The Gut Microbiome Important
What Is Biliary Mucocele
Biliary Mucocele is an underdiagnosed pathology in dogs, but it is also increasingly recognized and represents an important cause of biliary obstruction. Its cause is not yet completely clear, but it is a form of acute cholecystitis that is usually found in animals of middle or old age and is usually related to biliary obstruction, necrosis of the bile wall and perforation. Specialists believe that sterile or septic inflammation of the gallbladder, or motor disorders of the gallbladder, could be important factors when suffering from this pathology. As well as that certain dyslipidemias, diabetes and certain dog breeds could be more predisposed to suffer from it. Bile mucocele in dogs leads to a gelatinization of the bile, , which can endanger the life of the animal.
Benefits Of Natural Remedies For Gallbladder Mucocele In Dogs
Benefits Of Natural Remedies For Gallbladder Mucocele In Dogs
Natural remedies for gallbladder mucocele in dogs can be used as an alternative or complementary treatment method to conventional medication. Due to their medicinal properties, they have many health benefits that are beneficial especially when it comes to treating this condition. However, before you start using them on your pet, make sure that you consult with a veterinarian first because they might not be effective on all types of animals. Some of the most common effects and side effects are as follows:
- Natural remedies for gallbladder mucocele in dogs may cause dizziness when ingested in large doses. Your dog may also experience drowsiness after taking them so make sure that you monitor him closely if he gets too tired during exercise sessions or playtime with other animals around him. Taking more than one capsule at a time could cause nausea and vomiting so take caution not to overdo this.
Don’t Miss: How To Heal The Gut
Incidence And Predisposing Factors For Gallbladder Mucocele Development
Although an exact incidence rate is unknown, experts agree that the overall incidence of gallbladder mucoceles is increasing. Older, small or middle-sized dogs are most commonly affected. There is no sex predilection, but several breeds are predisposed to gallbladder mucocele formation. At-risk breeds include cocker spaniels, Shetland sheepdogs, border terriers and miniature schnauzers. Reported risk factors for the disease are hyperadrenocorticism, hypothyroidism and imidacloprid use, but many dogs can develop mucoceles and have no risk factors.
Current Research And Future Directions
Morris Animal Foundation has invested in several studies on gallbladder mucoceles conducted by Dr. Jody Gookin, a professor and veterinary internist at North Carolina State University. Dr. Gookin recently appeared on the Foundationâs Fresh Scoop podcast to discuss her research on this serious and growing problem.
Dr. Gookin was alarmed by the sudden appearance of this disease in dogs along with the high mortality rate and coupled with lack of treatment options beyond surgery. She decided to start by looking at the gallbladder epithelium itself to learn more about control of secretion and mucus formation in tandem with genetic studies.
âWhen you think about breed-associated diseases, you think about puppies and kittens and animals showing something at a young age,â said Dr. Gookin. âBut here is a disease that actually manifests later in life. My idea is that sometime 20 years ago, thereâs emergence of an environmental exposure to which certain breeds of dog are genetically predisposed to reacting in this unusual way.â
Dr. Gookinâs research has zeroed in on a few candidate genes that could be interacting with something in the environment that ultimately results in mucocele formation in genetically susceptible dogs. Her team is working on applying xenobiotics to cultured gallbladder epithelial cells and monitoring the effect on the cellsâ mucus production. Her hope is to identify the environmental exposures involved in triggering mucocele formation.
Read Also: Do Probiotics Help Gut Health
Treatment Options For Gallbladder Mucocele In Dogs
The treatment of your dog will be directed on the underlying cause of the detachment.
Treatment will be based on the cause of the mucus accumulation or impact of gall stones in the dog’s gallbladder.
Broad-spectrum antibiotics are initially started and once cultures and blood tests have been obtained, then the antibiotic choice may be changed.
For the anorexic, nauseated, and systemically ill dogs, hospitalization for supportive therapy such as intravenous fluids might be required.
When immune-mediated complications exacerbate infectious mucocele – corticosteroids and other immunomodulating medications , Azathioprine, Mycophenolate mofetil) are provided.
Gall Bladder stones:
Other Uses For Ursodiol In Veterinary Medicine
Ursodiol is also used by veterinarians to treat pets diagnosed with gallstones. The drug not only effectively reduces the uptake of cholesterol, but it also lowers the synthesis and production of cholesterol. Because gallstones contain mostly cholesterol, ursodiol has been shown effective at dissolving them.
This medication is also seeing more use in the treatment of other hepatobiliary conditions, such as fatty liver disease, chronic hepatitis, acute hepatic failure, primary portal vein hypoplasia, congenital portosystemic shunts, and juvenile fibrosing liver disease.
Also Check: How To Relieve Stomach Pain From Aspirin
