A 6-year-old NM French bulldog was presented for evaluation of lethargy over a 5-day period, head tilt, hunched neck, and arched back. Abnormalities on serum biochemistry were elevated ALT, AST, and ALP activity.
A 6-year-old NM French bulldog was presented for evaluation of lethargy over a 5-day period, head tilt, hunched neck, and arched back. Abnormalities on serum biochemistry were elevated ALT, AST, and ALP activity.
Chronic hepatitis with likely cirrhosis and portal hypertension.
The patient needs a liver biopsy from a lower left sided intercostal position. Suggested protocol include Royal Canin, hepatic support, Lactulose, Metronidazole, nutraceuticals and increase the quality protein with either yogurt or Cheddar cheese. Low dose Spironolactone can be utilized for the ascites.
Diffuse nodular liver disease and microhepatica. The portal vein can be followed completely to its branches, but it is very tortuous and with the ascites that is seen, might be indicative of portal hypertension. This is typical cirrhosis with possible portal vein branch hypoplasia-microvascular dysplasia. The bile acids are likely very high and the clinical signs are owing to hyperammonemia. There are secondary shunts as well demonstrated by the tortuous vessels especially in the area of the pancreas where there is pancreatic edema. The lobe portal vein velocities support portal vein hypertension.
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CNS – neoplasia, inflammatory encephalopathy, vascular accident, viral/bacterial meningitis, disc disease, trauma, hepatic encephalopathy
Liver – nodular regeneration, vacuolar hepatopathy, acute hepatitis (viral, bacterial, trauma, toxins), chronic-active hepatitis
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