Successful management of bacterial cholangitis in a late pregnant dog

Benjamin Goldblatt; Jenna  Cardillo; Devon Diaz; Kyle Granger Jr.; Gregory Burns; Eric Monnet; Charles Talbot

doi:10.58292/CT.v18.14182

Benjamin Goldblatt Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Jenna Cardillo VCA Hollwood Animal Hospital, Hollywood, FL, USA
Devon Diaz Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, FL, USA
Kyle Granger Jr. Thrive Pet Healthcare Emergency & Specialty Hospital, Hoffman Estates, IL, USA
Gregory Burns Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Eric Monnet Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Charles Talbot Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58292/CT.v18.14182

Keywords: Bacterial cholangitis, cesarean section, hepatopathy, sepsis, dog, fluoroquinolone

Abstract

A previously healthy 5-year, female bull terrier, was presented for scheduled pregnancy radiographs; however, dog had acute vomiting, anorexia and marked mixed hepatopathy. Blood work, abdominal ultrasonography, bile cytology, and bile culture confirmed bacterial cholangitis. Initial medical treatment included intravenous fluids and fluoroquinolone antibiotics. After 72-hours of hospitalization, there were clinicopathologic and hepatic ultrasonographic evidences for clinical improvement, a positive response to treatment. Dog was discharged with antibiotics and outpatient medical therapy but returned after 72 hours for an elective cesarian surgery that was uneventful and 8 pups were delivered. One pup was stillborn and 1 died within 1 week (cause of death not determined). Dog recovered without postoperative complications. At week 8 reexamination the dog appeared healthy; however, congenital abnormalities were noted in 6 pups including linguoverted canine tooth, umbilical hernias, unilateral hearing loss, and focal renal cysts.

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