Hepatic abscesses, although uncommon, are potentially life-threatening
in dogs. The abscesses usually are associated with extrahepatic infec
tion and sepsis or with preexisting regional hepatic injury. Diagnosis
of hepatic abscesses often is difficult: physical, hematologic, bioch
emical, and radiographic findings are supportive but nonspecific. Abdo
minal ultrasonography is the most useful noninvasive technique for the
identification of hepatic abscesses in dogs. Successful treatment dep
ends on prompt recognition of the abscesses, surgical removal of infec
ted tissue, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, and management of under
lying disease processes.