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The function
of the gallbladder is very closely related to that of the liver.
When one is "sick", it is likely to affect the other organ. Drugs
that affect one can also affect the other. Therefore it is not
uncommon for both diseases to exist in the same dog.
The canine
gallbladder serves the same function in dogs as in humans; i.e. it
is the storage organ for bile. Any "bladder" is a sac (balloon-like
organ) that can expand to contain a liquid and can be quite small
when emptied, making it possible to use a very thin instrument to
pull the emptied human gallbladder out through a very small opening,
eliminating the need for surgical incisions as was necessary in the
past. But this small organ serves a purpose that is closely tied to
digestion and to liver function. For all its small size, abnormal
function can make for a large health problem.
Humans form
"gallstones" but dogs have "sludge" when fluid bile begins to
solidify. Anyone who has had gallstones will remember the
discomfort. It is not known that dogs suffer in the same way but
sludgy bile is an abnormality. Dysfunction will show in abnormal
elevations of alkaline phosphatase. Bile acid tests and liver
enzyme studies are appropriate diagnostics, as is radiographic or
ultrasound study of the organ. When there is an overall elevation
of liver enzymes, the primary disorder is likely to be in the liver
itself. If early tests show elevated alkaline phosphatase and ALT,
with no increase in other liver enzymes, this may be indication of
gallbladder disease. An elevated ALT is a sign that liver cells are
damaged and liver disease may be present. Bile acid studies are
done to monitor liver function and will be repeated until normal or
until further testing is warranted.
Treatment
specific to gallbladder disease with the drug "actigall/ursodial"
may be the first step and there is also a possibility that milk
thistle can alleviate early symptoms in mild dysfunction. Milk
thistle is an alternative medication that is readily available with
a dose for small dogs being something in the area of 1/3 or 1/4 of a
human dose. It is often used as an adjunct in treating liver
disease.
Chronic
gallbladder disease will lead to complications with the liver
because of their relationship. Infection may be an instigating
factor and E coli, often associated with intestinal and urinary
bladder problems, may be a causative factor. It will be up to your
veterinarian to decide on a treatment plan but monitoring disease
changes will be appropriate to avoid ongoing and long term damage to
the system. As with any systemic disease, improved immune health
will lead to greater chance of recovery and may minimize
complications.
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