ULTRASONOGRAPHY AS AN AID FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF HEPATIC-ABSCESSES IN APUPPY

A case of hepatic abscessation in a puppy in which the diagnosis was a ssisted by ultrasonography is reported. From the clinical examinations , the presence of septicemia and secondary involvement of the liver wa s suspected but could not be verified by routine hematological and ser um chemical analyses. Further radiographic examination of the abdomen did not decisively reveal the presence of any hepatobiliary disease. U ltrasonographic examination of the liver showed the presence of severa l hypoechoic, round-to-oval areas with a diameter between 1 to 20 mm. Necropsy disclosed multiple hepatic abscesses from which streptococci (type G) were isolated; however, the source of infection could not be determined. This case indicates that ultrasonography may be of value i n the early detection and therapy for hepatic abscesses in puppies.