An 8-year-old FS Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog was presented for anorexia of 3 days duration, decreased drinking, and lethargy. There was prior history of foreign body removal and cholecystectomy owing to cholelithiasis four months earlier. The owner reported that the patient never fully recovered from foreign body surgery and has demonstrated intermittent G.I. signs ever since. Physical examination revealed marked icterus, mucous membranes pale pink with icterus and a CRT <2 sec, mildly enlarged submandibular lymph nodes and 4% dehydration. The patient was admitted for I.V.
An 8-year-old FS Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog was presented for anorexia of 3 days duration, decreased drinking, and lethargy. There was prior history of foreign body removal and cholecystectomy owing to cholelithiasis four months earlier. The owner reported that the patient never fully recovered from foreign body surgery and has demonstrated intermittent G.I. signs ever since. Physical examination revealed marked icterus, mucous membranes pale pink with icterus and a CRT <2 sec, mildly enlarged submandibular lymph nodes and 4% dehydration. The patient was admitted for I.V. fluid therapy, supportive care, and further diagnostics. Blood chemistry revealed hyperphosphatemia, high ALT, hyperamylasemia, elevated BUN, increased cholesterol, hyperglobulinemia, marked hyperlipasemia, marked hyperbilirubinemia, and hypokalemia. CBC found leukocytosis, monocytosis, anemia (decreased HCT and RBC) and thrombocytosis. The dog was initially treated with gastroprotectants, steroids, anti diarrheal medication, and antibiotics. After 24 hours of fluid therapy, the PCV was 17% with a total protein of 8.0 mg/dl with no evidence of auto agglutination. At that point, the dog was QAR with persistent diarrhea but no vomiting or nausea.