What is Canine Gallbladder Mucocele?
The gallbladder is an excretory organ that plays an important part in your dog’s digestive health. It stores and fortifies bile, which is required for digestion and to absorb vital nutrients. The formation of a mucocele can cause biliary duct obstruction, bacterial infections, reduced or disrupted bile flow, necrosis of the gallbladder wall, and gallbladder rupture, which can then cause septic peritonitis, or the leakage of fluids into the abdominal cavity. This can cause septic shock, which can be fatal for your dog. Early diagnosis is essential to successful treatment and recovery.
Canine gallbladder mucocele occurs when the gallbladder has become enlarged due to the accumulation of an excessive amount of mucus that has formed into a solid mass, or a mucocele. This is a serious condition that can not only cause pain, anorexia, and collapse, but can even lead to death if left untreated for too long. Symptoms of Canine Gallbladder Mucocele in Dogs
While one-quarter of affected dogs are asymptomatic, symptoms of gallbladder mucocele that are present can last for 5 days to several months. These include:
• Lack of appetite
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy
• Jaundice
• Anorexia
• Rapid breathing
• Rapid heart rate
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Excessive thirst
• Excessive urination
• Distention of abdomen
• Collapse from septic shock
Causes of Canine Gallbladder Mucocele in Dogs
The main cause of a mucocele formation is excessive accumulation of mucus in the gallbladder. The underlying cause for the formation of a mucocele is unknown, but there are many theories, including:
• Gallbladder disease
• Glucocorticoid therapy
• Progestational therapy
• Gallbladder stones
• Inflammation of the gallbladder
• Biliary sludge
• Cystic mucinous hyperplasia, which causes excessive mucus to secrete into gallbladder
• Mucus-secreting cell dysfunction
Conditions that may predispose your dog to gallbladder mucocele include:
• Small to medium sized dogs
• Middle to older aged dogs
• Shetland Sheepdogs and Cocker Spaniels
• Endocrine disease, such as Cushing’s disease, diabetes mellitus, or hypothyroidism
• High cholesterol
• Fed a high fat diet
• Pancreatitis
• Gallbladder disorder
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Gallbladder cyst formation