Case Study

CT – Chronic hepatitis with hepatic fibrosis in a 13 year old MN Labrador Retriever mix

This 13 year old MN Labrador Retriever mix dog presented with vomiting, anorexia, lethargy. History of epilepsy. Meds include phenobarb, tramadol and carprofen. CBC/Chem: ALKP 473, ALT 186

DX

Chronic hepatitis with hepatic fibrosis is the most likely underlying cause of the liver changes

Image Interpretation

CT of the head and abdomen –

Mild microhepatica is noted with slightly undulating liver margins as well as mild overall heterogeneity after contrast administration.

A moderate amount of chyme is seen within the gastrointestinal tract. Bony structures are seen within the stomach content. The fecal matter within the colon is ispissated and mineral opaque.

Outcome

Microhepatica with irregular parenchymal architecture and enhancement
• Ispissated fecal matter – dehydration versus oral barium intake
• The computed tomography of the brain did not reveal abnormal findings
Vacuolar hepatopathy would be a possible but less likely differential diagnosis. The odds of neoplastic hepatopathy are considered low. Ultrasound guided Tru-cut liver biopsy or surgical biopsies are warranted for further definition. Hepatic encephalopathy cannot be ruled out based on a negative CT.