Chronic hepatitis in the English springer spaniel: clinical presentation, histological description and outcome

Abstract

Medical records and liver histology of 68 English springer spaniels (ESS) with a histological diagnosis of CH were reviewed retrospectively. PCR was performed on liver tissue for canine adenovirus-1 (CAV-1), canine parvovirus, canine herpesvirus and pathogenic Leptospira species. Follow-up information was obtained to calculate survival times. Median age at presentation was three years seven months (range, seven months to eight years five months) and there were 48 female and 20 male dogs. Clinical signs were non-specific and five dogs were asymptomatic. All dogs had an increase in serum activity of one or more hepatobiliary enzymes. Histopathology demonstrated hepatocyte necrosis and apoptosis with varying amounts of fibrosis. A predominantly lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate throughout the hepatic parenchyma was found in all 68 dogs, but 45 of these dogs also had a neutrophilic component to the inflammatory infiltrate. There was no significant copper accumulation and no aetiological agent was identified by PCR. The median survival time was 189 days (range, 1 to 1211 days), 38 dogs died within three months and 12 dogs survived more than a year following diagnosis.

Canine Idiopathic Chronic Hepatitis

“…On ultrasonographic examination of 68 ESS with CH, the liver appeared small in 49 dogs and normal in size in the remainder. 2 Changes in hepatic parenchymal echogenicity were present in 62 dogs and included hypoechogenicity (n=12), hyperechogenicity (n=10), or a combination of hypo-and hyperechogenicity (n=40) when compared with the echogenicity of the spleen. Six dogs had a normal appearance to the liver on ultrasound.…”

“…ESS with idiopathic CH, and 77% of cases had an elevated white blood cell count. 2 Results of hematology from 24 Labrador retrievers with CH included an increased WBC (n=9), lymphopenia (n=7), neutropenia (n=2), left shift (n=2), and monocytosis (n=2).…”

“…3 In 68 ESS with idiopathic CH, clinical signs at presentation included lethargy (n=63), decreased appetite (n=58), vomiting (n=34), weight loss (n=31), diarrhea (n=21), and polydipsia (n=21). 2 In 16…”

“…2 Ultrasonography is an established method for examining the canine liver, and it enable an assessment of its size, shape, echogenicity and echotexture, as a means of detecting lesions affecting the hepatic parenchyma. However, ultrasonography is generally considered unsuitable as a sole method for diagnosis because of the large overlap in the ultrasonographic appearance between different hepatic diseases, including CH.…”

“…3 Physical examination in 68 ESS with idiopathic CH revealed icterus (n=37), hyperthermia (n=24), poor body condition (n=23), ascites (n=17), and abdominal pain (n=9). 2 A range of concurrent diseases, including those of the endocrine, renal, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, dermatological and neurological systems, are also sometimes documented in dogs with idiopathic CH.…”