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J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) 2020 Jan 19;30(1):97-101. Epub 2019 Dec 19.

Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Health Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.

Background: Gallbladder mucocele is a potentially life-threatening extrahepatic biliary disease in dogs. The primary aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of cholecystitis in dogs with gross and histopathologically confirmed gallbladder mucocele and to investigate if there is an association between cholecystitis, including its subtypes (eg, acute, acute on chronic, with necrosis, chronic), and survival. Our secondary objective was to evaluate if there is an association between cholecystitis and intraoperative bacteriological culture positivity. Read More

Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2019 Nov 8;60(6):689-695. Epub 2019 Sep 8.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.

Gallbladder mucoceles are potentially fatal in dogs. Multiphase CT angiography was performed to evaluate the canine gallbladder in three conditions: no sludge, sludge occupying ≥25% of the lumen, and mucoceles. Twenty dogs with normal hepatobiliary bloodwork and no-to-minimal gallbladder sludge, 13 dogs with normal bloodwork and ≥25% sludge in the gallbladder lumen, and 18 dogs with histologically confirmed gallbladder mucoceles were enrolled in a prospective, observational diagnostic accuracy study. Read More

Vet J 2019 Sep 31;251:105350. Epub 2019 Jul 31.

Pride Veterinary Centre, Riverside Road, Pride Park, Derby, UK.

Gallbladder mucocele (GBM) is a common extra-hepatic biliary syndrome in dogs with death rates ranging from 7 to 45%. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the association of survival with variables that could be utilized to improve clinical decisions. A total of 1194 dogs with a gross and histopathological diagnosis of GBM were included from 41 veterinary referral hospitals in this retrospective study. Read More

J Vet Intern Med 2019 Sep 6;33(5):2057-2066. Epub 2019 Sep 6.

Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, Georgia.

Background: Gallbladder mucoceles (GBM) typically are treated by cholecystectomy. Medical management rarely has been reported and medical and surgical management have not been compared.

Hypothesis/objectives: To compare survival of dogs treated for GBM by medical management or cholecystectomy or both. Read More

BMC Vet Res 2019 Jun 25;15(1):215. Epub 2019 Jun 25.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-742, Republic of Korea.

Background: Leptin has been shown to have various physiological and pathological roles in the canine gallbladder. In this study, we performed pre- and postoperative short-term follow-up analyses to confirm changes in serum leptin levels before and after cholecystectomy due to gallbladder mucocele (GBM) or cholelithiasis in dogs.

Results: Twenty-six cholecystectomized dogs (GBM: n = 14; cholelithiasis: n = 12) for prophylactic or clinical symptom relief were enrolled in the present study. Read More

J Feline Med Surg 2019 05;21(5):429-441

Radiology Department, Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, Highlands Road, Shirley, Solihull B90 4NH, UK.

Practical Relevance: Abdominal ultrasound plays a vital role in the diagnostic work-up of many cats presenting to general and specialist practitioners. The biliary tree encompasses the liver, gall bladder and bile ducts, although only diseases affecting the latter two are discussed here. Diseases of the bile ducts and gall bladder are more common than those of the liver parenchyma and ultrasound plays an important role in their diagnosis. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2019 21;57:84-87. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary and Transplant Surgery, Academia Level 5, 20 College Road, Singapore, 169856, Singapore. Electronic address:

Introduction: Gallstone(s) impacted at the distal small bowel causing intestinal obstruction as a result of cholecystoenteric fistula is a well-known, albeit uncommon surgical condition. The rare Bouveret's Syndrome, which refers to the proximal impaction of gallstone(s) in the duodenum or pylorus resulting in the gastric outlet obstruction (GOO), has also been described in the literature. However, gallbladder mucocele with extrinsic compression of the duodenum and/or pylorus causing GOO is a separate entity that is extremely rare. Read More

PLoS One 2019 27;14(2):e0212638. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America.

Gallbladder mucocele formation is an emerging disease in dogs characterized by increased secretion of condensed granules of gel-forming mucin by the gallbladder epithelium and formation of an abnormally thick mucus that can culminate in obstruction of the bile duct or rupture of the gallbladder. The disease is associated with a high morbidity and mortality and its pathogenesis is unknown. Affected dogs have a significantly increased likelihood of concurrent diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism, hypothyroidism, and hyperlipidemia. Read More

J Small Anim Pract 2019 May 10;60(5):291-297. Epub 2019 Feb 10.

College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 USA.

Objectives: To detect and localise bacteria in gallbladder mucoceles using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). To report clinical signs, clinicopathologic abnormalities, sonographic findings and histopathological findings in FISH+ and FISH- dogs with gallbladder mucoceles.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective review of signalment, clinical signs, clinicopathologic and sonographic findings of 25 cases of histopathologically confirmed gallbladder mucocele. Read More

Vet Clin Pathol 2018 Dec 18;47(4):617-624. Epub 2018 Oct 18.

Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.

Background: Several breeds have physiological peculiarities that induce variations in reference intervals (RIs) compared with the general canine population. Shetland sheepdogs (SSs) are reported to be more predisposed to different diseases (eg, hyperlipidemia, gallbladder mucocele, and hypothyroidism). Consequently, a breed-specific approach is more often required. Read More

Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2018 Nov 6;59(6):744-748. Epub 2018 Aug 6.

Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843.

Limited information is available on the ultrasonographic characteristics of extruded gallbladder mucoceles. The objective of this retrospective case series study was to describe the ultrasonographic features of extruded gallbladder mucoceles in a group of dogs. Medical records of four veterinary centers were searched between June 2010 and January 2018 for all dogs with a suspected extruded gallbladder mucocele based on abdominal ultrasound. Read More

J Vet Intern Med 2018 Sep 5;32(5):1618-1628. Epub 2018 Aug 5.

Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, Highlands Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 4NH, The United Kingdom.

Background: Gall bladder mucoceles (GBM) are a leading cause of biliary disease in dogs with several breeds, including the Shetland Sheepdog, American Cocker Spaniel, Chihuahua, Pomeranian, and Miniature Schnauzer apparently predisposed.

Objective: To determine risk factors, clinical features, and response to treatment of GBM in Border terriers (BT).

Animals: Medical records of 99 dogs (including 51 BT) with an ultrasonographic (±histopathologic) diagnosis of GBM from three referral centers in the United Kingdom were collected. Read More

Updates Surg 2018 Dec 13;70(4):495-502. Epub 2018 Jul 13.

King Abdulaziz Medical City/King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Mucocele of the gallbladder is an overdistended gallbladder filled with mucoid content. It is under-reported in humans, and literature review showed insufficient data about the incidence and the factors affecting the laparoscopic management. We aim to evaluate the intraoperative aspiration of the mucoid contents of the gallbladder as a factor influencing the outcome of the treatment. Read More

J Small Anim Pract 2018 Mar 30. Epub 2018 Mar 30.

Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan.

Objectives: To summarise CT cholangiography findings in dogs with gallbladder mucocoele.

Materials And Methods: Each of 10 dogs with gallbladder mucocoele underwent CT cholangiography using meglumine iotroxate before cholecystectomy. The following structures of the biliary system were evaluated: the right and left hepatic ducts, common hepatic duct, cystic duct, common bile duct and gallbladder. Read More

Acta Gastroenterol Belg 2017 Jul-Sep;80(3):365-370

University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis Faculty of Medicine, Tunisia.

Background And Aims: Traditionally, a gallbladder removed for presumed benign disease is sent for histopathological examination, but this practice has been the subject of controversy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of routine histopathological examination of cholecystectomy specimens and its impact on the management of patients.

Patients And Methods: The histopathological reports of 1960 patients who underwent cholecystectomy from January 2011 to November 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Read More

Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2018 May 2;59(3):345-356. Epub 2018 Feb 2.

Dipartimento di Medicina veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06126, Perugia, Italy.

Gall-bladder diseases are common in dogs and two-dimensional ultrasonography is a current standard method for diagnosis and treatment planning. However, findings from this modality can be nonspecific. The aim of this retrospective, case series study was to describe conventional and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (using SonoVue ) findings in a group of dogs with histologically confirmed gall bladder disease. Read More

PLoS One 2018 11;13(1):e0191076. Epub 2018 Jan 11.

Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America.

Mucocele formation is characterized by secretion of abnormally thick mucus by the gallbladder epithelium of dogs that may cause obstruction of the bile duct or rupture of the gallbladder. The disease is increasingly recognized and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. The cause of gallbladder mucocele formation in dogs is unknown. Read More

World J Transplant 2017 Dec;7(6):359-363

Division of Transplantation and Advanced Hepatobiliary Surgery, University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, United States.

Biliary mucoceles after deceased donor liver transplantation are a rarity, and mucoceles mimicking a gallbladder from the recipient remnant cystic duct have not been described until this case. We describe a 48-year-old male who presented with right upper quadrant pain and was found to have a recipient cystic duct mucocele 3 mo after receiving a deceased donor liver transplant. We describe the clinical presentation, laboratory and imaging findings (including the appearance of a gallbladder), multidisciplinary approach and surgical resolution of this mucocele originating from the recipient cystic duct, and a review of the literature. Read More

J Small Anim Pract 2019 Jan 13;60(1):58-61. Epub 2017 Dec 13.

Institute of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.

A 10-year-old neutered female soft-coated wheaten terrier and a 10-year-old, entire female Pomeranian were presented for vomiting and anorexia. Using ultrasound, an oval structure with a stellate, kiwifruit-like appearance typical of a gall bladder mucocoele was observed in the caudal abdomen of the soft-coated wheaten terrier and adjacent to the liver in the Pomeranian. There was also a moderate volume of abdominal effusion in both dogs. Read More

J Vet Intern Med 2018 Jan 4;32(1):195-200. Epub 2017 Dec 4.

Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Health Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.

Background: Gallbladder mucocele (GBM) is an increasingly recognized extrahepatic biliary disease in dogs.

Objectives: To investigate cases of GBM and identify variables associated with survival and the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography to identify gallbladder rupture.

Animals: Two hundred and nineteen client-owned dogs with GBM. Read More

Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2018 Jan 1;59(1):98-106. Epub 2017 Nov 1.

Intensive Care Unit (SIAMU), Univ Lyon, VetAgro Sup, APCSe, F-69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France.

Despite the emergence of new serovars, a detailed and current abdominal ultrasonographic description of dogs with leptospirosis is lacking. The purpose of this prospective, observational, single cohort study was to illustrate abdominal ultrasonographic findings in 35 dogs with confirmed leptospirosis. At least one ultrasonographic abnormality was seen in all of the dogs. Read More

PLoS One 2017 31;12(10):e0187315. Epub 2017 Oct 31.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Leptin and its receptor play several physiological roles in the canine gallbladder, and the dysregulation of leptin might play a role in the pathogenesis of gallbladder diseases such as gallbladder mucocele. Previous studies revealed a positive association between hyperlipidemia and gallstones in humans. However, the latter is still unclear in dogs with cholelithiasis. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2017 19;36:133-135. Epub 2017 May 19.

Department of Anaesthesia, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Rd., Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; The University of Melbourne, Department of Surgery, Victoria, 3084, Australia. Electronic address:

Introduction: Radiological imaging of the gallbladder is a fundamental aspect of assessing severity of acute cholecystitis in addition to guiding the optimal timing of surgical intervention. We present a case of acute severe cholecystitis with massive gallbladder mucocele initially presenting with equivocal and inconclusive clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound findings. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography allowed accurate evaluation of cholelithiasis and demonstrated a massive gallbladder mucocele. Read More

Int J Vet Sci Med 2017 Jun 20;5(1):75-80. Epub 2017 Apr 20.

Institute of Veterinary, Animal & Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Tennent Drive, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand.

The factors enhancing mucocoele development in dogs remain poorly understood. A 7-year-old female spayed Miniature Schnauzer was presented to the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for progressive lethargy, inappetance and abdominal discomfort. Initial physical examination findings revealed a moderate degree of cranial abdominal pain, with subsequent diagnostic tests confirming the patient as having diabetes mellitus, with a concurrent marked hypertriglyceridaemia. Read More

J Gastrointest Surg 2017 08 20;21(8):1366-1367. Epub 2017 Mar 20.

Department of Surgery, A. Gemelli Medical School, Largo Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.

The gallbladder polyps are a common finding during ultrasonography but only in rare cases they may be a cancer. When a polyp is greater than 1 cm, the cholecystectomy is usually performed. In these images, a polyp of 4 cm corresponding to a collection of mucus (mucocele) is reported. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2017 28;33:127-129. Epub 2017 Feb 28.

Department of General Surgery, SMS Medical College and Hospital, JLN Marg, Jaipur, 302004 Rajasthan, India. Electronic address:

Introduction: A gallbladder mucocele is the distention of the gallbladder by an inappropriate accumulation of mucus. Decreased bile flow, decreased gallbladder motility, and altered absorption of water from the gallbladder lumen are predisposing factors to biliary sludge. However, it is more likely to be a small part of a complex disease process involving inflammation of the gallbladder wall and changes to the lining of the gallbladder changing the consistency of its secretions. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2017 Feb;78(2):223-229

OBJECTIVE To examine bile acid composition of gallbladder contents in dogs with gallbladder mucocele and biliary sludge. ANIMALS 18 dogs with gallbladder mucocele (GBM group), 8 dogs with immobile biliary sludge (i-BS group), 17 dogs with mobile biliary sludge (m-BS group), and 14 healthy dogs (control group). PROCEDURES Samples of gallbladder contents were obtained by use of percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis or during cholecystectomy or necropsy. Read More

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2017 May 9;47(3):665-682. Epub 2017 Jan 9.

Department of Veterinary Medicine, Queen's Veterinary School Hospital, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK. Electronic address:

Canine hepatopathies, both congenital and acquired, arise from an interaction between genes and environment. Many show increased breed prevalences. This article reviews the current understanding on breed predispositions for congenital portosystemic shunts; microvascular dysplasia and portal vein hypoplasia; ductal plate abnormalities (congenital hepatic fibrosis and Caroli disease); chronic hepatitis (both copper associated and idiopathic); vacuolar hepatopathies; and gallbladder mucocele. Read More

J Vet Intern Med 2017 Mar 8;31(2):335-342. Epub 2017 Jan 8.

Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Background: A high prevalence of cholestatic disease, including gallbladder mucocele (GBM), has been reported in dogs with naturally occurring pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH).

Hypothesis/objectives: Differences exist in the clinical features of dogs with PDH and concurrent cholestatic disease, and also is the management of these dogs with trilostane.

Animals: Sixty-five client-owned dogs with naturally occurring PDH. Read More

J Vet Intern Med 2017 Jan 29;31(1):36-42. Epub 2016 Dec 29.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea.

Background: Leptin and its receptor play a role in several disease processes such as pancreatitis and heart disease. However, their association with gallbladder mucocele (GBM) in dogs has not been reported.

Hypothesis/objectives: To evaluate differences in the expression of leptin and leptin receptor between dogs with and without GBM. Read More

Vet Pathol 2017 05 22;54(3):484-489. Epub 2016 Dec 22.

4 Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.

Miniature Schnauzer dogs are predisposed to idiopathic hypertriglyerceridemia, which increases risk for diseases such as pancreatitis and gallbladder mucocele. Recently, elevated triglyceride concentrations have been associated with proteinuria in this breed, although it is difficult to determine which abnormality is primary. Retrospective review of renal tissue from 27 proteinuric Miniature Schnauzers revealed that 20 dogs had ultrastructural evidence of osmophilic globules consistent with lipid in glomerular tufts. Read More

J Vet Med Sci 2017 Feb 17;79(2):366-374. Epub 2016 Dec 17.

University of Miyazaki Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 1-1 Gakuen Kibana-dai Nishi, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan.

The pathophysiology of canine gallbladder diseases, including biliary sludge, gallbladder mucoceles and gallstones, is poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the component of gallbladder contents and bacterial infection of the gallbladder in order to elucidate the pathophysiology of biliary sludge and gallbladder mucoceles. A total of 43 samples of canine gallbladder contents (biliary sludge, 21 and gallbladder mucoceles, 22) were subjected to component analysis by infrared spectroscopy, and the resultant infrared spectra were compared with that of swine mucin. Read More

J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) 2016 Nov 13;26(6):809-814. Epub 2016 Apr 13.

Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.

Objective: To report the management of a dog that required 2 treatments with mechanical ventilation; firstly for severe tracheal collapse and secondly following deployment of a nitinol tracheal stent that immediately preceded a nonoxygen responsive pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), suspected to have originated from the right atrium.

Case Summary: A 9-year-old female spayed Shetland Sheepdog was presented for management of a gallbladder mucocoele. Pertinent history included iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism and tracheal collapse. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2016 Oct;77(10):1101-7

OBJECTIVE To determine serum cholecystokinin (CCK) concentrations in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) and to evaluate associations among CCK concentration, PDH, and gallbladder mucocele (GBM). ANIMALS 14 client-owned dogs with PDH and 14 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES Dogs were separated into 4 groups: healthy dogs without gallbladder sludge (group A; n = 7), healthy dogs with gallbladder sludge (group B; 7), dogs with PDH and gallbladder sludge (group C; 8), and dogs with PDH and GBM (group D; 6). Read More

J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2016 May-Jun;52(3):125-31. Epub 2016 Mar 23.

From the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

Echogenic luminal contents are often noted during ultrasonographic examination of the gallbladder (GB) in canine patients, but the significance of biliary sludge is not well understood. GB contents were evaluated during 200 sequential ultrasonographic scans performed at a veterinary school, and sludge was quantified using a 1-5 scale. GB volume was retrospectively estimated from stored images. Read More

J Vet Intern Med 2016 May 16;30(3):771-8. Epub 2016 Mar 16.

Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.

Background: Biliary sludge is associated with gallbladder (GB) dysmotility and mucus hypersecretion suggesting a link between biliary sludge and the formation of GB mucoceles (GBM). If biliary sludge progresses to GBM, treatment to reduce the production and progression of sludge is warranted.

Hypothesis/objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the course of biliary sludge in dogs. Read More

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2016 May 3;46(3):453-80, v-vi. Epub 2016 Feb 3.

Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Duckpond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. Electronic address:

Ultrasound is an extremely valuable diagnostic modality for the diagnosis of hepatobiliary and pancreatic disease. Normal appearance and normal variations are important to understand to avoid misinterpretation. Although ultrasound can identify a lesion, cytology and histopathology are usually needed for a final diagnosis. Read More

J S Afr Vet Assoc 2015 Dec 9;86(1):1318. Epub 2015 Dec 9.

Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, University of Pretoria.

Gallbladder mucocoele (GBM) is an abnormal, intraluminal accumulation of inspissated bile and/or mucous within the gallbladder. Older, small- to medium-breed dogs seem to be predisposed, but no sex predilection has been identified. Clinical signs are often non-specific and include vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, abdominal pain, icterus and polyuria-polydipsia. Read More

J Am Vet Med Assoc 2015 Dec;247(12):1412-4

Objective: To describe clinical, laboratory, and surgical findings in dogs with confirmed gallbladder rupture and in which serum total bilirubin concentration was within reference limits.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 5 dogs. Read More

J Vet Intern Med 2015 Nov-Dec;29(6):1464-72. Epub 2015 Oct 18.

Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.

Background: The cause of gallbladder mucocele (GBM) formation in dogs currently is unknown. Many available drugs represent a newer generation of xenobiotics that may predispose dogs to GBM formation.

Objective: To determine if there is an association between the histologic diagnosis of GBM in dogs and administration of selected drugs. Read More

PLoS One 2015 28;10(9):e0138988. Epub 2015 Sep 28.

Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America.

Mucosal protection of the gallbladder is vital yet we know very little about the mechanisms involved. In domestic dogs, an emergent syndrome referred to as gallbladder mucocele formation is characterized by excessive secretion of abnormal mucus that results in obstruction and rupture of the gallbladder. The cause of gallbladder mucocele formation is unknown. Read More

ANZ J Surg 2016 Sep 1;86(9):725-6. Epub 2014 Jul 1.

Department of Surgery, The Canberra and Calvary Hospitals, Australian National University Medical School, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.

J Vet Diagn Invest 2014 May 23;26(3):434-436. Epub 2014 Apr 23.

Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC (Cullen, Willson)Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (Mealey)GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC (Kimbrough)Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, Newport, OR (Minch)

The etiology of canine gallbladder mucocele (GBM) has not yet been identified. However, several studies have linked GBM in dogs to particular breeds (Shetland Sheepdogs are commonly implicated), concurrent endocrine disease (hyperadrenocorticism and/or hypothyroidism), and a mutation in the canine ABCB4 gene (ABCB4 1583_1584G), particularly in Shetland Sheepdogs. The current study assessed ABCB4 1583_1584G, in a wider sample of dogs with GBM compared with age and breed-matched controls. Read More

Vet J 2014 Jun 25;200(3):353-4. Epub 2014 Feb 25.

Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Tricalon 224, 42100 Karditsa, Greece; Animal Medical Center of Athens, Mesogeion 267, 15231 Athens, Greece. Electronic address:

Vet J 2014 Jan 26;199(1):76-9. Epub 2013 Oct 26.

Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.

The diagnosis of gall bladder mucoceles (GM) in dogs has become increasingly frequent in veterinary medicine. Primary breed-specific hyperlipidaemia is reported in Shetland Sheepdogs and Miniature Schnauzers, breeds in which GM are known to occur more frequently than in other breeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between GM and hyperlipidaemia in dogs. Read More

Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2014 Mar-Apr;55(2):202-7. Epub 2013 Nov 13.

Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 500-757.

Cholecystectomy is the current standard recommended treatment for dogs with gallbladder mucoceles. However, medical management with monitoring has also been recommended for asymptomatic dogs. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare ultrasonographic patterns of gallbladder mucoceles with clinical disease status in a group of dogs. Read More

BMC Surg 2013 Jul 8;13:26. Epub 2013 Jul 8.

Department of Surgery, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro 71000, Pakistan.

Background: Selective approach for sending cholecystectomy specimens for histopathology results in missing discrete pathologies such as premalignant benign lesions such as porcelain gallbladder, carcinoma-in-situ, and early carcinomas. To avoid such blunders therefore, every cholecystectomy specimen should be routinely examined histologically. Unfortunately, the practice of discarding gallbladder specimen is standard in most tertiary care hospitals of Pakistan including the primary investigators' own institution. Read More

Vet Surg 2013 May 17;42(4):418-26. Epub 2013 Jan 17.

Department of Companion Animals, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Objective: To report clinical findings and explore prognostic factors for dogs that had cholecystectomy for gall bladder mucocele.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: Dogs (n = 43) with gall bladder mucoceles. Read More

Can Vet J 2012 Mar;53(3):269-73

Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.

A 6-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was presented for acute onset of vomiting. Exploratory laparotomy identified a duplex gallbladder and left cholecystectomy was performed. Histopathology confirmed biliary mucocele and hepatic cholestasis. Read More