Liver lobe torsion and liver abscess in a dog

A 4-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback had acute onset of vomiting, lethargy, and discolored urine. Physical examination revealed lethargy, pyrexia, weak femoral pulses, cardiac arrhythmia, distended abdomen, and signs of pain on abdominal palpation. Abdominal radiography and ultrasonography revealed a gas-containing lesion in the cranial portion of the abdomen. Preoperative care included administration of fluids, antibiotics, and antiarrhythmic medication. Exploratory laparotomy revealed hemobilia and a 360 degrees clockwise torsion of the papillary process of the caudate lobe of the liver. Clinical signs resolved completely after liver lobectomy, and the dog was alive 2 years after surgery. Torsion of a liver lobe is rare in dogs. Necrosis of the involved liver lobe can result in acute weakness, shock, and death. Hemodynamic stabilization, antibiotic treatment, and surgical intervention have been successful in treating this condition. Liver lobe torsion should be considered on the differential diagnoses list of acute abdominal pain.