2002 Volume 55 Issue 8 Pages 513-516
Clinical chemistry tests made the second day after ovario-hysterectomy for pyometra in a mongrel bitch (age 10 years and 4 months) revealed an elevated serum-ALP level. Abdominal radiographs showed the gallbladder to be dilated and calcified. Ultrasonic examination of the gallbladder showed its cystic wall to be hyperechoic and to be accompanied by an acoustic shadow. This led to the suspicion that the gallbladder had lost the ability to contract. On the basis of typical radiographic and ulstrasonographic findings, we diagnosed this to be a case of porcelain gallbladder. With the passage of time, infectious cholecystitis occurring when the animal was 4 years and 6 months may have become chronic. Significant calcification of the gallbladder walls seems to have been caused by chronic cholecystitis.
