Clinical diagnostics of hepatopathies in small mammals: Evaluation of importance of individual methods

Until recently the possibilities of intravital diagnosis of liver function affection in small mammals have only been utilised to a minimum extent, The necessity of early hepatic disease diagnostics in these patients is highly topical. The presented paper summarises diagnostic procedures and will sho w the evaluation of their practical use in small mammals. Anamnestic data e valuation, palpation of the liver and collection of fluid from the abdomina l cavity for the purpose of laboratory examination play an irreplaceable ro le in the diagnostics of liver diseases in small mammals. Biochemical blood indices analysis includes enzymes indicating hepatocellular damage (ALT, A ST, LDH), cholestasis or enzymatic activity alteration (ALP, GGT), values m onitoring the liver synthesis (albumin, glucose, urea, coagulation factors, bilirubin, bile acids, ammonium). Cytology and histology of biopsy specime ns make it possible to evaluate the liver state precisely. In small mammals the size of a rabbit, ferret, adult guinea pig or rat utilisable methods f or the liver biopsy include: fine needle aspiration biopsy, percutaneous bi opsy, biopsy under the guidance of ultrasonography, biopsy under endoscopic or otoscopic guidance and biopsy during exploratory laparotomy. In patient s the size of a hamster, Djungarian hamster or mouse the indication of thes e methods are questionable they can casuse serious hazards to the animals l ife. In spite of this, modifications of liver biopsy sampling are of conclu sive importance in the diagnostics of hepathopathies in small mammals. In m inute small mammals we can use a modification of the percutancous biopsy us ing a key-bole technique and biopsy during laparotomy.