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American Cocker Spaniel chronic hepatitis in Japan
H Kanemoto1, M Sakai, Y Sakamoto
1Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
|June 21, 2013
Summary
Japanese American Cocker Spaniels with chronic hepatitis often show subtle signs until advanced liver disease develops. This condition leads to severe fibrosis and cirrhosis but can have a relatively long survival time.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Canine Pathology
- Hepatology
Background:
- American Cocker Spaniels exhibit a predisposition to chronic hepatitis.
- Understanding the specific manifestations in Japanese American Cocker Spaniels is crucial for early detection and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical presentation and histopathological findings of chronic hepatitis in Japanese American Cocker Spaniels.
- To correlate clinical signs, clinicopathological data, and liver histology in affected dogs.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 13 Japanese American Cocker Spaniels diagnosed with chronic liver disease between 2003 and 2009.
- Evaluation of medical records, including history, physical examinations, clinicopathological results, ultrasonography, liver histopathology, and immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- Clinical signs such as inappetence, ascites, and lethargy were common, often presenting at advanced stages.
- Clinicopathological abnormalities included elevated liver enzymes, increased total serum bile acids, and hypoalbuminemia.
- Histopathology revealed severe fibrosis and cirrhosis in all cases, with lobular dissecting hepatitis being a prominent subtype, alongside ductular proliferation and portal hypertension.
Conclusions:
- Chronic hepatitis in this breed is often clinically silent until advanced stages, characterized by severe fibrosis, cirrhosis, and portal hypertension.
- Despite the severity, affected dogs may experience relatively long survival times.
- The prevalence of lobular dissecting hepatitis appears higher in this population compared to other reported cases.
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