2009 Volume 18 Issue 3 Pages 79-84
Twenty-three dogs with biliary sludge but without hepatocystic diseases had gallbladder ultrasound examination twice or more at intervals of 8 months or longer, and the amount of biliary sludge, its mobility, and the time course of its volume were observed. In the group of dogs with 2/3 or more of the gallbladder filled with biliary sludge at the first examination, the mean age was higher (11 years and one month) than in the other two groups with less biliary sludge. As to the change of volume of biliary sludge, the mean age of dogs with increased deposit was highest; many dogs aged more than 12 years showed an increase. Out of 15 dogs with mobile biliary sludge, the sludge disappeared or was reduced in seven dogs. Out of seven dogs with immobile sludge, five dogs showed an increase of sludge, and two showed no change. In our observations, however, there was no statistical difference between age and changes in the amount or mobility of biliary sludge. In hematological tests, we found no correlation between total serum thyroxin (T4) concentration and the amount of biliary sludge, although two of four dogs with a low level of T4 had immobile biliary sludge. In conclusion, our survey suggested that in dogs with immobile sludge or with 2/3 or more of the gallbladder filled with sludge tends to increase, and that it also tends to increase in aged dogs.
