Clinical outcome, imaging and histopathological findings of liver cirrhosis in dogs
Wanderson Feliciano Duarte da Silva, Roger Fernando Neves da Silva, Edson Moleta Colodel, Pedro Eduardo Brandini Nespóli, Valeria Regia Franco SousaAbstract
Cirrhosis is a severe and irreversible condition resulting from chronic liver injury, characterised by extensive fibrosis and regenerative nodules. This report describes three dogs with cirrhosis. The main clinical findings included ascites, reduced body condition score and inappetence. Anaemia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminaemia, and elevated serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities were observed, indicating hepatic injury and impaired liver function. Ultrasonography revealed microhepatia, irregular contours and heterogeneous parenchyma associated with regenerative nodules. Computed tomography, performed in one case, provided additional information regarding hepatic morphology. Treatment was palliative and included nutritional support, antioxidants and hepatoprotective agents. All three cases had an unfavourable outcome, with survival times ranging from 2 to 10 days after presentation. Ascites and hypoalbuminaemia may be associated with a poor prognosis in canine cirrhosis. Early detection of hepatopathies remains the greatest challenge to avoid progression to the cirrhotic stage, an irreversible stage characterised by architectural distortion and impending liver failure.