Vol. 11, Special Issue 11 (2022)

Objectives: The aim of study was to asses hepatobiliary ultrasound score between apparently healthy dogs and dogs with hepatobiliary dysfunctions diagnosed via clinical examination and hemato-biochemical analysis supported by ultrasonography.

Materials and Methods: A total of 22 dogs presented at Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Junagadh, showing clinical signs of hepatobiliary dysfunction were subjected to clinico-hemato biochemical and ultrasonographic (USG) examinations by standard methods. For assessment of ultrasound score Different ultrasonographic features were categorized on the basis of (1) liver surface, (2) parenchymal score (echogenicity of parenchyma and nodularity of parenchyma), and (3) biliary score (gallbladder wall thickness, amount of gall sludge, and visibility of bile duct). Six apparently healthy dogs served the control group.

Results: The dogs affected with hepatobiliary dysfunction showed clinical signs like lethargy, anorexia/hyporexia, diarrhoea, pale conjuctival mucous membrane, polyuria/polydipsia, ascites, fever, vomiting, jaundice, pain on abdominal palpation, emaciation, melena, constipation, limb/scrotal oedema and petechial haemorrhages. Significant decline in Hb, TEC, PCV and platelet counts and significant elevation in TLC and Neutrophils (%) was noted as compared to control values. Significant increase in ALT, ALP, GGT, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and total bile acids; significant decline in total protein and albumin were also noted as compared to control values. Hepatosonography revealed different focal and diffuse lesions. Majority of the dogs affected with hepatobiliary dysfunctions showed moderate severity (14/22, 63.64 %).

Conclusions: When treating diseased animals, one must take into account the clinical and hemato-biochemical changes brought on by hepatobiliary dysfunction. Here, explained ultrasound score system can be used for screening of different hepatobiliary affections thus better diagnosis of the liver diseases in dogs can be given via visulizing liver damage.