GALLBLADDER PERFORATION ASSOCIATED WITH CHOLELITHIASIS AND CHOLECYSTITIS IN A DOG

A four-year-old female Japanese akita was admitted with icterus, ascit es and chronically elevated serum bilirubin and liver enzymes, Abdomin al ultrasonography revealed a diffusely thickened, hyperechoic gallbla dder wall with a focal defect, hepatic lymphadenopathy and a large vol ume of anechoic fluid within the peritoneal space. Diagnosis of biliar y tract rupture with bile peritonitis was based on the findings of bil e and suppurative exudate in peritoneal aspirates. A perforated gallbl adder and cholelithiasis were found on exploratory celiotomy, while hi stopathology revealed chronic suppurative cholecystitis, The dog recov ered uneventfully after cholecystectomy. Although rare, the triad of c holelithiasis, cholecystitis and gallbladder perforation should be con sidered after detection of one of these conditions.