Session 6: Internal medicine

Abstract

To evaluate clinical features of dogs with cholelithiasis and compare outcomes with medical treatment (MT), surgical treatment (ST) and no treatment (NT). MethodsRetrospective review of medical records of dogs with cholelithiasis identified on abdominal ultrasound (AUS) between 2010-2019. Cases were assigned as clinically affected (CA) or incidentally detected (ID) and divided into MT, ST and NT groups. Biochemical parameters and cholelith location were compared between groups with Mann-Whitney U and Chi-squared testing, respectively. Survival times were compared with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results18 dogs were CA and 20 where ID. CA dogs had significantly higher ALP, GGT and ALT than ID dogs. 8 cases were ST, 15 MT and 15 NT. ST dogs had significantly higher ALP, GGT, ALT and bilirubin than NT dogs. A significantly higher proportion of ST dogs had choleliths in the common bile duct than MT. 17 cases had follow-up AUS: cholelithiasis completely resolved at follow-up in 4/10 MT, 4/5 ST and 1/2 NT; decreased cholelith size or number occurred in 1/10 MT and 1/5 ST. Two MT dogs progressed to require surgery. Median survival time was 457.4 days, with no significant differences in survival between groups. Statement (conclusions)Dogs clinically affected by cholelithiasis have higher ALP, GGT and ALT than dogs with incidental cholelithiasis. 5/10 MT dogs had resolution or improvement of cholelithiasis, showing MT is effective for management of canine cholelithiasis with clinical signs and cholelith location playing a role in treatment decision-making. Survival time was not negatively affected by treatment choice.