Surgical treatment of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) for gallbladder mucocele (a clinical case study)

The relevance of this study is determined by the rapid increase in cases of gallbladder mucocele in dogs, a condition characterised by the accumulation of excessive mucin and bile within the gallbladder. This pathology causes partial or complete extrahepatic biliary obstruction through the spread of bile-saturated mucus into the common bile ducts, which can be life-threatening. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify the clinical symptoms and effective diagnostic and treatment methods for animals with gallbladder mucocele. A clinical case of gallbladder mucocele was examined in a Chihuahua that developed hepatobiliary insufficiency. The sequence of diagnostic procedures, including laboratory tests and ultrasound examination, as well as the surgical treatment, is presented. The condition in the affected dog manifested as non-specific clinical signs such as frequent vomiting, anorexia, and lethargy. The most common physical examination findings included abdominal pain, jaundice of the skin and visible mucous membranes, and hyperthermia. The biochemical markers of this condition in the affected dog included elevated serum concentrations of total bilirubin and increased activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma glutamyltransferase. Ultrasound imaging was used to visualise changes in the gallbladder tissue. The diagnosis of gallbladder mucocele was established based on the presence of characteristic stellate or finely striated bile patterns. The condition was differentiated from biliary sludge by the absence of gravity-dependent bile movement. Ultrasound examination revealed no specific changes in the thickness or appearance of the gallbladder wall. Based on the diagnostic findings, cholecystectomy was selected as the surgical treatment method for affected dogs. The sterility of the bile sample in bacteriological testing indicated the non-infectious nature of the mucocele. The results obtained have significant practical relevance for both researchers and practising veterinary surgeons, contributing to the improvement of treatment protocols for animals with gallbladder mucocele