An Association between Pancreatic and Cholestatic Biliary Disorders in Dogs

The relation between biliary tree diseases and pancreatitis is not well-known in veterinary medicine. Anecdotally, hyperlipemia, pancreatic inflammation, and abnormalities of biliary flow are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis. The aim of the work was to study the frequency and features of pancreatic involvement in dogs with chronic biliary tree disease. We retrospectively included 81 dogs with both laboratory and ultrasound signs of chronic biliary tree disease. Medical records of the included dogs and their pancreatic involvement was recorded considering ultrasonographic features and/or biochemical alterations (Lipase DGGR). Fifty-eight dogs (72%) showed pancreatic involvement, suggesting that pancreatic status should be investigated in canine patients with chronic biliary tree disease.Abstract Canine chronic biliary tree disease (CBTD) is a suspected risk factor for pancreatic injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and features of pancreatic involvement in canine CBTD, and their relationship with hyperlipemia and its severity. CBTD was defined as the increase in at least two of ALP, GGT, total bilirubin, cholesterol, and a biliary tree abnormal abdominal ultrasound (graded mild to severe). Pancreatic ultrasound appearance was recorded and classified as acute/chronic. Dogs were divided into a PBD group (pancreatic and biliary disease) and BD group (only biliary tree disease). PBD group was subgraded into a "pancreatic injury" and "pancreatitis" group. Eighty-one dogs were retrospectively included: 56 in the PBD group and 25 in the BD group. Of the PBD group, 20 had pancreatitis (15 chronic and 5 dogs acute). US score was mild in 64 dogs and moderate in 17 dogs, and it was not associated with evidence of pancreopathy. Sixty-six dogs had hyperlipemia (mild = 27 dogs; moderate-to-severe = 39 dogs) and no association with pancreopathy was found. Pancreatic injury was more frequent than pancreatitis in CBTD dogs. Although both acute and chronic pancreatic injury may be present, chronic forms were more frequent. Pancreatic injury should be considered in CBTD patients due its possible clinical significance