Biliary (biliary) sludge in dogs. Symptoms and treatment of cholecystitis in dogs

Unfortunately, many owners are faced with a disease such as cholecystitis in dogs. This pathology occurs when the normal function of the bile ducts is disturbed, which leads to the development of inflammation in the gallbladder.

Due to poor outflow, bile becomes more dense and caustic. In this case, there is a danger of injury to the walls of the bladder, which leads to the formation of ulcers on it. If the disease is not treated, then through the holes formed, bile will flow into the abdominal cavity. This threatens, you can’t do without an urgent operation, otherwise the pet will die.

There are several factors that provoke the development of cholecystitis.

Cholecystitis can develop in dogs that are often given smoked meats.

These include:

An unbalanced diet is considered a provocateur of many diseases, including cholecystitis. The correct structure of the gastric mucosa is maintained due to the presence in the body of a sufficient amount of carotene. It is he who is responsible for the restoration of failed cells. Therefore, the lack of vitamin A in the diet of a pet negatively affects its health.

An unbalanced diet is the main cause of cholecystitis in dogs.

How to recognize the disease

It is almost impossible to know about the presence of the disease until the first symptoms appear. If your dog starts behaving strangely, keep an eye on it. When the first clinical signs of cholecystitis appear, the pet should be immediately referred to a veterinarian for further diagnosis.

Symptoms of cholecystitis

The chronic form differs from the acute form in its manifestation. It is characterized by slight deviations in the behavior of the animal.

You can identify it with the following symptoms:

• reduced activity, the animal sleeps a lot;
• lack of appetite, refusal of water;
• orange urine, light feces, as bilirubin in the blood has increased dramatically;
• bowel disorders, ;
• severe hair loss ();
• the main pose of the pet is on the stomach, the back is arched.

The acute form of cholecystitis occurs if measures are not taken in time and the disease is started.

With an exacerbation of the disease, there is a real threat to the life of the pet. With complete blockage of the bile ducts, the bladder stretches and bursts, peritonitis occurs.

Jaundice often develops in dogs with cholecystitis.

How the disease is diagnosed

At the first visit, the doctor interviews the owner, finds out the symptoms and examines the pet. He evaluates the condition of the skin, mucous membranes, wool. Feels the abdominal area.

If there is suspicion of cholecystitis, then the veterinarian prescribes the following diagnostic procedures:

• Ultrasound to detect pathologies that cause inflammation of the digestive system and gallbladder;
• x-ray studies to determine the presence or absence of stones;
• general blood test - detection of the content of leukocytes, an increased level of which indicates inflammation;
• analysis of urine and feces, to assess the level of bilirubin;
• a liver biopsy gives an idea of ​​the viscosity of bile and its stagnation;
• analysis of bile allows you to determine the causative agent of infection;
• diagnostic laparotomy - performed if there is a possibility of peritonitis.

Medical treatment

Starting treatment, first of all, you should remove the dangerous symptoms and save the pet from dehydration. Glucose solution and calcium gluconate will help alleviate the general condition. By normalizing it, you can proceed to the direct elimination of the causes that cause the disease.

Treatment of cholecystitis should be prescribed only by a veterinarian after examining the dog.

Important. The doctor makes appointments and selects treatment depending on each specific case. In this case, an important role is played by the degree of neglect of the disease, its form and cause. The individual characteristics of the dog are also taken into account, such as age, weight, general condition, concomitant diseases and other factors.

The following medicines are used to treat cholecystitis:

The last but not the least stage of treatment is heat-based physiotherapy. Such procedures relieve the effects of inflammation, improve blood flow and relieve pain.

Diet for cholecystitis

Special nutrition will help return the body to normal functioning. It is the basis of effective treatment, as it has a minimal burden on the gastrointestinal tract.

With cholecystitis, the dog is transferred to a special diet.

Dog food for cholecystitis is selected by a veterinarian. Most often, specialized feeds are prescribed, aimed at restoring normal digestion. Dry cheap food is completely excluded.

If the pet also consumes homemade food, then certain restrictions are introduced.

The dog's diet is based on the consumption of the following foods:

• lean meats, such as chicken or turkey;
• boiled cereals such as rice and buckwheat;
• foods rich in calcium - cottage cheese, any unsweetened sour milk with a low percentage of fat;
• vegetables rich in vitamin A;

Having figured out how to feed a sick pet, you need to choose the right regimen. It is best if there are at least five meals. Food should be fresh and served mashed. With an exacerbation of the disease, the animal needs to starve for about a day.

Disease prevention

It is very important to monitor the weight of the dog and exclude obesity.

Let's take a look at the main ones:

It is necessary to monitor the health of the dog and follow preventive measures, then this disease can be avoided. If there is a suspicion of cholecystitis, then timely diagnosis and competent treatment will help to avoid complications.

The causes of biliary tract dysfunction may be due to a sin in the diet when fatty, fried and smoked foods predominate, irregular meals when a person leads a sedentary lifestyle, overweight, and biliary dyskinesia often occurs (in 85-90% ) against the background of diseases of the stomach, duodenum, liver diseases, chronic tonsillitis and caries.

There are two types of biliary dyskinesia.

The first hyperkinetic, when the gallbladder contracts too much and there is a strong spasmodic pain in the right hypochondrium, resembles "colic".

The second is hypokinetic, when the gallbladder contracts more weakly, and because of this, less bile is supplied than is necessary for the digestion process. The pain in this type is dull in nature and usually occurs after eating.

How to understand that you have biliary dyskinesia?

If you have symptoms such as pain in the upper abdomen that does not disappear after a bowel movement, nausea, vomiting, pain at night, a feeling of bitterness in your mouth, then you need to contact a general practitioner or gastroenterologist to be examined.

Symptoms of biliary dyskinesia

There are hyperkinetic (hypertonic) and hypokinetic (hypotonic) forms of dyskinesia. Hyperkinetic dyskinesia is observed more often in individuals with vagotonia. Patients regularly experience acute

Kolino-shaped pain in the right hypochondrium radiating to the right shoulder blade, shoulder. The pains are repeated several times a day, short-term, not accompanied by an increase in body temperature. Neurovegetative and vasomotor syndromes are often revealed:

Hypokinetic dyskinesia is characterized by persistent dull, aching pain in the right hypochondrium, poor appetite, belching, nausea, bitterness in the mouth, bloating, constipation, and slight pain in the gallbladder. It converges more often in individuals with a predominance of the tone of the sympathetic nervous system. Dyskinesia is characterized by the connection of pain with unrest and neuro-emotional stress; no increase in ESR, leukocytosis, or other changes in the blood are noticed.

Treatment of biliary dyskinesia

Treatment of biliary dyskinesia begins with the exclusion of neurotic and diencephalic disorders. With hyperkinetic forms of dyskinesia, sedatives are used (elenium, seduxen, sodium bromide, ankylosing spondylitis), with hypokinetic forms - tonic (aloe, ginseng). Patients with a hypertensive form are recommended cholinergic antispasmodics (atropine, metacin, platifillin, papaverine, eufillin, no-shpa - one table three times a day) together with choleretics (lyobil, decholine, hologon, cholenzyme, oxafenamide - 1-2 tablets each). 3-4 times a day), thermal procedures (mud, ozocerite applications, diathermy, inductothermy) and slightly mineralized mineral waters (Essentuki No. 4 and 20, Slavyanovskaya, Smirnovskaya, Narzan No. 7).

In hypotonic dyskinesias, cholecystokinetics are used (Magnesium sulfate, olive oil, pantocrine, pituitrin, sorbitol, xylitol), alkaline mineral waters with high mineralization (Essentuki No. 17, Batalinskaya, Arzni, Morshinskaya No. 6 in a warm form), tubazhi. Systematic treatment of dyskinesias can prevent the development of cholecystitis and cholelithiasis.

Treatment primarily requires constant adherence to dietary recommendations, a diet with a restriction of fatty and fried foods. It is necessary to exclude alcohol, carbonated drinks, smoking. If this disease is neglected, gallstones can form in the gallbladder, threatening its inflammation, and later removal.

Establishing diagnosis

The main diagnostic method is an ultrasound examination of the gallbladder on an empty stomach and after taking a choleretic breakfast. It is also necessary to evaluate markers of liver function, such as (AST) and alkaline phosphoratosis.

The diagnosis of biliary dyskinesia is established due to clinical findings with a lack of signs of organic lesions of the biliary tract. Duodenal sounding helps, which allows you to distinguish between violations of the tone and function of the gallbladder, the state of the sphincter apparatus of the extrahepatic biliary tract. Cholecystography reveals an increased shadow of the gallbladder, delayed or rapid emptying of it. Sometimes omission or the size of the gallbladder is noticed, but without deformation and other organic changes.

Prevention of dyskinesia consists in creating conditions in favor of a good outflow of bile and improving the regulatory mechanisms of bile secretion: treatment of neurotic disorders, alternation of work and rest, prevention of conflict situations, sufficient sleep, exposure to fresh air, gymnastics and sports, eating at the same time. time, systematic bowel movements.

Biliary dyskinesia - symptoms and treatment

Biliary dyskinesia is a disease in which the motility of the gallbladder is disturbed and the bile ducts malfunction, which causes stagnation of bile or its excessive secretion.

This disorder occurs mainly in women. As a rule, biliary dyskinesia suffers from young patients (20-40 years old), thin build. In some women, the relationship between the exacerbation of complaints and the period of the menstrual cycle is expressed (the exacerbation occurs 1-4 days before the onset of menstruation), and the disease can also worsen during the menopause.

Since in this disease there are changes in the properties of bile, the absorption of some important substances and fat-soluble vitamins is impaired. At risk are women who have diseases related to the genital area, as well as people who are often exposed to stress.

There are two main forms of gallbladder dyskinesia:

• Hypertonic (hyperkinetic) - the tone of the gallbladder is increased;
• Hypotonic - the tone of the gallbladder is lowered.

Causes

Why does biliary dyskinesia occur, and what is it? Primary causes of biliary dyskinesia:

1. Long-term, systematic violation of the diet (irregular meals, overeating, the habit of eating well before bedtime, abuse of spicy fatty foods).
2. Disorders of neurohumoral regulatory mechanisms of the biliary tract.
3. Sedentary lifestyle, congenital underdeveloped muscle mass.
4. Neurocirculatory dystonia, neuroses, stress.

Secondary causes of biliary dyskinesia:

1. Previously transferred acute viral hepatitis.
2. Helminths, infections (giardiasis).
3. With bends of the neck or body of the gallbladder (organic causes).
4. With cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, gastritis, gastroduodenitis, peptic ulcer, enteritis.
5. Chronic inflammatory processes of the abdominal cavity (chronic inflammation of the ovaries, pyelonephritis, colitis, appendicitis, etc.).
6. Hormonal disorders (menopause, menstrual irregularities, endocrine gland insufficiency: hypothyroidism, lack of estrogen, etc.).

Most often, biliary dyskinesia is a background symptom, and not a separate one. It indicates the presence of stones in the gallbladder, the occurrence of pancreatitis, or other abnormalities in the function of the gallbladder. Also, the disease can develop as a result of the use of certain foods: sweet, alcohol, fatty and fried foods. Severe psychological or emotional stress can cause the onset of dyskinesia.

Classification

There are 2 types of dyskinesia:

1. Dyskinesia according to the hypokinetic type: the gallbladder is otanic (relaxed), it contracts poorly, stretches, has a much larger volume, therefore bile stagnation and a violation of its chemical composition occur, which is fraught with the formation of stones in the gallbladder. This type of dyskinesia is much more common.
2. Hyperkinetic type dyskinesia: the gallbladder is in constant tone and reacts sharply to food entering the duodenal lumen with sharp contractions, throwing out a portion of bile under great pressure.

Accordingly, depending on what type of dyskinesia and biliary tract you have, the symptoms of the disease and methods of treatment will vary.

Considering the symptoms of dyskinesia, it is worth noting that they depend on the form of the disease.

Mixed variants of JVP usually present with:

• pain and heaviness in the right side,
• constipation or their alternation with diarrhea,
• loss of appetite,
• pain when probing the abdomen and right side,
• fluctuations in body weight
• belching, bitterness in the mouth,
• general disorder.

Hypotonic dyskinesia is characterized by the following symptoms:

• aching pains that occur in the right hypochondrium;
• heaviness in the abdomen;
• constant feeling of nausea;
• vomiting.

The hypotonic form of the disease is characterized by the following set of symptoms:

• pain of an acute nature, periodically occurring in the right hypochondrium, with pain radiating to the back, neck and jaw. As a rule, such pains last about half an hour, mainly after eating;
• constant feeling of nausea;
• vomiting with bile;
• decreased appetite;
• general weakness of the body, headache.

It is important to know that the disease not only manifests itself as a gastroenterological clinical picture, but also affects the general condition of patients. Approximately one in two major patients diagnosed with biliary dyskinesia initially turns to a dermatologist because of the symptoms of dermatitis. These skin symptoms indicate problems with the gastrointestinal tract. At the same time, patients are worried about regular skin itching, accompanied by dryness and flaking of the skin. Blisters with watery contents may occur.

Diagnosis of biliary dyskinesia

As laboratory and instrumental methods of examination, the following are prescribed:

• general analysis of blood and urine,
• fecal analysis for Giardia and coprogram,
• liver tests, blood biochemistry,
• conducting an ultrasound examination of the liver and gallbladder with a choleretic breakfast,
• carrying out fibrogastroduodenoscopy (swallow "honey"),
• if necessary, gastric and intestinal sounding is carried out with sampling of bile by stages.

However, the main method for diagnosing JVP is ultrasound. With the help of ultrasound, you can evaluate the anatomical features of the gallbladder and its tracts, check for the presence of stones and see inflammation. Sometimes a stress test is performed to determine the type of dyskinesia.

Treatment of biliary dyskinesia

• Treatment of hyperkinetic form of dyskinesia. Hyperkinetic forms of dyskinesia require restriction in the diet of mechanical and chemical food irritants and fats. Table No. 5 is used, enriched with products containing magnesium salts. To relieve spasm of smooth muscles, nitrates, myotropic antispasmodics (no-shpa, papaverine, mebeverine, gimecromone), anticholinergics (gastrocepin), and nifedipine (corinfar), which reduces the tone of the sphincter of Oddi to dozemg 3 times a day, are used.
• Treatment of hypokinetic form of dyskinesia. A diet should be used within the framework of table No. 5, with hypokinetic dyskinesia, food should be enriched with fruits, vegetables, foods containing vegetable fiber and magnesium salts (food bran, buckwheat porridge, cottage cheese, cabbage, apples, carrots, meat, rosehip broth). The emptying of the gallbladder also contributes to vegetable oil, sour cream, cream, eggs. It is necessary to establish the normal functioning of the intestine, which reflexively stimulates the contraction of the gallbladder. Cholekinetics (xylitol, magnesium sulfate, sorbitol) are also prescribed.

Patients with biliary dyskinesia are shown to be monitored by a gastroenterologist and neurologist, annual health courses in balneological sanatoriums.

Physiotherapy

In the hypotonic-hypokinetic variant, diadynamic currents, faradization, sinusoidal modulated currents, low-pulse currents, low-intensity ultrasound, pearl and carbon dioxide baths are more effective.

In the case of a hypertensive-hyperkinetic form of dyskinesia, patients are recommended inductothermia (an electrode-disk is placed above the right hypochondrium), UHF, microwave therapy (UHF), high-intensity ultrasound, novocaine electrophoresis, ozokerite or paraffin applications, galvanic mud, coniferous, radon and hydrogen sulfide baths.

Diet for dyskinesia

Any advice on how to treat biliary dyskinesia will be useless if you do not follow certain dietary rules that help normalize the condition of the biliary tract.

Proper nutrition will help create favorable conditions for the normal functioning of the digestive tract and normalize the work of the biliary tract:

• everything strongly salty, sour, bitter and spicy is prohibited;
• seasonings and spices are limited, fried is prohibited;
• fat is sharply limited in nutrition with its replacement as much as possible with vegetable oils;
• a strict ban is imposed on potentially harmful and irritating foods (chips, nuts, soda, fast food, salted fish);
• all food at first is given in a warm and semi-liquid form, especially during pain attacks;
• all food is boiled, steamed or stewed, baked in foil.

Sample menu for the day:

1. Breakfast: soft-boiled egg, milk porridge, tea with sugar, butter and cheese sandwich.
2. Second breakfast: any fruit.
3. Lunch: any vegetarian soup, baked fish with mashed potatoes, vegetable salad (for example, cabbage), compote.
4. Afternoon snack: a glass of milk, yogurt, fermented baked milk or kefir, a couple of marshmallows or marmalades.
5. Dinner: steamed meatballs with vermicelli, sweet tea.
6. Before going to bed: a glass of kefir or drinking yogurt.

Treatment of children with biliary dyskinesia

In children with biliary dyskinesia, treatment is carried out until the complete elimination of bile stasis and signs of impaired bile flow. With severe pain, it is advisable to treat the child in a hospital for days, and then in a local sanatorium.

Timely diagnosis of biliary tract dysfunctions and proper treatment of children, depending on the type of violations detected, can prevent the formation of further inflammatory diseases of the gallbladder, liver, pancreas and prevents early stone formation in the gallbladder and kidneys.

Prevention

To prevent pathology from developing, observe the following rules:

• a full night's sleep for at least 8 hours;
• go to bed no later than 11 pm;
• alternate mental and physical labor;
• walks in the open air;
• eat fully: eat more plant foods, cereals, boiled animal products, less -
• fried meat or fish;
• Avoid stressful situations.

Secondary prevention (that is, after the onset of biliary dyskinesia) is its earliest detection, for example, with regular preventive examinations. Biliary dyskinesia does not reduce life expectancy, but affects its quality.

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One comment

Thank you very much for the information received. I was diagnosed a couple of years ago, but knowing that the disease is not dangerous, I honestly did not associate the developing symptoms with dyskinesia. I stick to a diet because I suffer from hypothyroidism.

And it was a completely unexpected discovery for me that depression, fatigue, tearfulness against the background of decent hormone tests are symptoms of dyskenesia! Now, knowing the enemy by sight, I will fight him.

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Biliary dyskinesia - causes, symptoms, forms and methods of treatment

Biliary dyskinesia is a difficult outflow of bile from the liver into the bladder and through the ducts. A distinctive feature of the disease is the absence of pathological changes in the structure of the liver and gallbladder with ducts. During the examination, doctors identify two options for dysfunction of the gallbladder in patients - either it is too slow or too fast / frequent. According to statistics, biliary dyskinesia men suffer more often than women (about 10 times).

Classification

It is on how the contraction of the gallbladder occurs that the definition of the form of dyskinesia also depends:

• hypermotor - in this case, the contraction of the organ is very frequent and fast. A similar form of the disease in question is inherent in young people;
• hypomotor - contraction occurs slowly, the activity of this function of the gallbladder is significantly reduced. According to statistics, hypomotor biliary dyskinesia is often diagnosed in patients older than 40 years and in patients with persistent neuroses/psychoses.

Depending on the cause of the development of the pathology in question, doctors can divide it into two types:

• primary dyskinesia - usually it is associated with congenital anomalies in the structure of the biliary tract;
• secondary - the disease is acquired during life and is a consequence of pathologies in other organs of the gastrointestinal tract (for example, secondary biliary dyskinesia often "accompanies" pancreatitis - an inflammatory process in the pancreas).

Reasons for the development of biliary dyskinesia

If we are talking about the primary form of the disease in question, then its causes are:

• narrowing of the gallbladder;
• doubling (bifurcation) of the bile ducts and bladder;
• constrictions and septa located directly in the cavity of the gallbladder.

All of these causes are congenital anomalies and are detected in early childhood during examination.

The secondary type of dyskinesia of the gallbladder and ducts may develop against the background of the presence of the following factors:

• gastritis - an inflammatory process on the mucosa of the inner walls of the stomach;
• the formation of ulcers on the mucous membrane of the stomach and / or duodenum - peptic ulcer;
• cholecystitis - inflammation of the gallbladder;
• pancreatitis - an inflammatory process in the pancreas;
• duodenitis - a pathological process of an inflammatory nature on the duodenal mucosa;
• hepatitis of viral etiology - a disease of a systemic nature, in which the liver is affected by viruses;
• hypothyroidism is a decrease in the functionality of the thyroid gland.

In addition, the reasons that can lead to the development of dyskinesia of the gallbladder and ducts include neuroses - mental disorders that are not only well understood by the patient themselves, but also subject to treatment, until complete recovery.

There are recorded cases of diagnosing biliary dyskinesia against the background of a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight (obesity stage 2-3), excessive physical exertion (especially if weights are constantly rising) and after psycho-emotional breakdowns.

Symptoms of biliary dyskinesia

The clinical picture of the described pathology is quite pronounced, so the diagnosis is not difficult for specialists. The main symptoms of biliary dyskinesia are:

1. Pain in the right hypochondrium , gallbladder and bile ducts - in the right hypochondrium. It can have a different character:

• with increased contractile activity of the gallbladder - acute, paroxysmal, with irradiation to the scapula and right shoulder. Occurs either after intense physical exertion or eating fatty foods in large quantities;
• if the contractile activity of the bladder is reduced, then the pain will be of a completely different nature - dull, aching, constant (episodes of the absence of pain syndrome are very rare), patients feel a feeling of fullness in the right hypochondrium;
• biliary colic - always occurs acutely, suddenly, differs in intensity, is accompanied by increased heart rate. Increased blood pressure (not in all cases). Since the pain is too strong, the patient experiences a feeling of anxiety and fear of death.

1. Cholestatic syndrome (manifestations of pathology in the liver and biliary tract):

• jaundice - the skin, sclera of the eyeballs, the mucous membrane of the mouth and saliva are stained yellow in different shades;
• liver enlargement - in some cases, the patient himself can feel it;
• change in the color of feces - it becomes pronouncedly light;
• change in the color of urine - it becomes pronouncedly dark;
• itching of the skin without specific localization.

1. Disorders of the digestive system:

• bloating;
• loss of appetite;
• nausea and vomiting;
• stench from the mouth;
• bitter taste in the mouth;
• dryness in the mouth.

1. Neurosis is a mental disorder that can be cured (reversible):

• irritability and insomnia;
• increased sweating (hyperhidrosis);
• chronic fatigue syndrome;
• headaches - they are not constant, they are periodic.

The above symptoms cannot appear at the same time. For example, cholestatic syndrome is diagnosed in only half of patients with biliary dyskinesia, and bitterness and dryness in the oral cavity are more characteristic of hyperdyskinesia (the contractile activity of the gallbladder is increased).

Diagnostic methods

Based solely on the pronounced symptoms of biliary dyskinesia, no specialist can make a diagnosis. To make a final verdict, doctors carry out the following activities:

1. Questioning the patient and analyzing the description of the disease - how long ago the first attacks of pain syndrome or other symptoms appeared, what they may be associated with (according to the patient).
2. Collecting an anamnesis of the patient's life - whether there were cases of diagnosing the disease in question in his relatives, whether there are diagnosed chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, whether any medications were taken for a long time, whether he was diagnosed with tumors of a benign / malignant nature, in what conditions the patient works (meaning the presence / absence of toxic substances in production).
3. Physical examination - the doctor determines the color of the patient's skin, sclera and mucous membranes (there is jaundice or not), whether obesity is present, palpation (palpation) will help identify an enlarged liver.
4. Laboratory research - general and biochemical blood tests, general urinalysis, lipidogram (reveals the level of fat in the blood), markers of hepatitis of viral etiology, the study of feces for eggs.

After this examination, the doctor can make a diagnosis of biliary dyskinesia, but to confirm it, the patient will also be assigned an instrumental examination of the body:

• ultrasound examination of all organs of the abdominal cavity;
• ultrasound examination of the gallbladder "with a test breakfast" - first, an ultrasound is performed on an empty stomach, then the patient eats a sufficiently fatty breakfast, and after 40 minutes, a second ultrasound of the gallbladder is performed. This procedure allows you to find out in what form the disease in question proceeds;
• duodenal sounding - using a special gut-probe, the duodenum is examined and samples of bile are taken for laboratory testing;
• FEGDS (fibroesogastroduodenoscopy) - the mucous membranes of the stomach, duodenum, esophagus are examined;
• oral cholecystography - the patient drinks a contrast agent and after half an hour you can examine the gallbladder for the presence of developmental anomalies in it;
• ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatigraphy - in one study, both x-ray and endoscopic methods are combined. This allows you to directly examine the bile ducts;
• hepatobiliary scintigraphy is a radioisotope method in which the patient is injected with a radioactive drug (intravenously), which accumulates in the liver and biliary tract, which makes it possible to study their complete and accurate image.

Treatment methods for biliary dyskinesia

The goal of medical procedures is to ensure a full outflow of bile from the liver. This cannot be done exclusively with medications - an integrated approach is needed.

Therapy for biliary dyskinesia includes:

1. Drawing up and observing the daily routine:

• a competent combination of work and rest - for example, night sleep should not be less than 8 hours;
• regularly take walks in the fresh air;
• when performing sedentary work, do gymnastics every 2 hours - we are talking about the simplest tilts, squats, turns of the body.

1. Strict diet:

• spicy/fatty/smoked food and preservation (home and industrial) are excluded from the menu;
• salt intake is reduced - it is permissible to take no more than 3 grams of salt per day;
• regularly use mineral water - it can be different, which is suitable for a particular patient, the attending physician or nutritionist specifies;
• food should be taken in small portions, but the frequency of meals should be large - up to 6-7 per day.

1. Medications:

• choleretic drugs - choleretics;
• enzyme preparations;
• cholespasmolytics.

1. Additional medical procedures:

• gallbladder tubage (cleansing) - taking choleretic drugs in the supine position on the right side with a heating pad in the anatomical location of the liver and biliary tract;
• regular duodenal sounding - cleansing of the duodenum after the release of bile;
• electrophoresis;
• acupuncture;
• diadynamic therapy;
• acupressure;
• hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches).

Surgical intervention is absolutely impractical, therefore, surgical treatment of biliary dyskinesia is never prescribed. On the recommendation of a gastroenterologist or therapist, the patient can be referred to a psychotherapist (if he has neuroses).

Treatment of biliary dyskinesia with folk remedies

Treatment of biliary dyskinesia with herbal preparations is also approved by official medicine - doctors recommend taking a course of decoctions / tinctures of medicinal herbs twice a year. Here are two of the most effective and safe recipes:

1. Prepare the following herbs:

• elecampane root - 10 g;
• marshmallow root - 10 g;
• calendula (flowers) - 15 g;
• chamomile (flowers) - 10 g.

Mix these plants and take only 2 tablespoons of the resulting mixture. They should be poured with half a liter of water, boiled and simmered for at least 7 minutes. Then the broth is infused (40-60 minutes), filtered and the resulting amount is drunk in small sips half an hour before meals three times a day. Duration of admission - 3 weeks.

1. Mix plantain leaves (30 g), calendula flowers and sage leaves (10 g each), mint / rosehip / cumin (15 g each), goose cinquefoil (grass) and raspberry (leaves) (20 g each). And the scheme of preparation and reception is the same as for the previous broth.

From folk methods, the following recipes can be distinguished:

• with a reduced contraction of the gallbladder under the right hypochondrium at the time of an attack of pain, a cold compress should be applied, and in case of increased contractile activity - hot.
• within a month in the morning on an empty stomach drink a glass of milk mixed with carrot juice in a ratio of 1:1;
• with pain syndrome against the background of diagnosed hypertensive dyskinesia, an enema with corn oil should be done - one tablespoon of oil per liter of warm water.

There are also methods of treatment with sand and clay, essential oils and vegetable juices, but there is no confirmation from official medicine about the advisability of such procedures. Any treatment with folk remedies should be carried out only after consultation with the attending physician and with regular monitoring of the dynamics of the disease.

Possible Complications

As a rule, with biliary dyskinesia, patients seek help from doctors almost immediately after the first attack of pain. But many of them, having removed unpleasant symptoms, stop the prescribed treatment, thereby provoking the development of complications:

• chronic cholecystitis - inflammation of the gallbladder that lasts more than 6 months in a row;
• the formation of stones in the gallbladder and its ducts - cholelithiasis;
• chronic pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas for 6 months;
• atopic dermatitis - a skin disease that is a consequence of a decrease in the level of immunity;
• duodenitis is an inflammatory process on the lining of the duodenum.

Biliary dyskinesia has a fairly favorable prognosis and does not reduce the patient's life expectancy. But in the absence of a full-fledged treatment and non-compliance with the recommendations of a nutritionist, the development of the above complications is inevitable. And even these diseases are not dangerous for human life, but the patient's condition will worsen significantly, eventually leading to disability.

Useful advice for patients diagnosed with JVP can be obtained by watching this video:

Tsygankova Yana Alexandrovna, medical observer, therapist of the highest qualification category.

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Dyskinesia of the gallbladder and biliary tract

A pathology of a functional nature, manifested by violations of the outflow of bile, is called dyskinesia of the gallbladder. With such a disorder, the contractile function of the organ, including the biliary tract, is disrupted. The release of bile secretion into the duodenum becomes inadequate, which causes malfunctions in the digestive system. DZHVP and proper dyskinesia of the bladder is no more than 12% of all diseases of the organ and in 70% of cases it is acquired.

Females mainly suffer from biliary dyskinesia - according to statistics, they are diagnosed with pathology 10 times more often than men. The prevalence of the disease in women is due to the peculiarity of metabolism and periodic hormonal disruptions - during gestation, menopause, the use of oral contraceptives. Dyskinesia of the gallbladder is also detected in childhood, in most cases adolescents aged 12–14 years and infants get sick.

Anatomy of the gallbladder

The gallbladder has a hollow structure and is localized in the upper square of the abdomen on the right, under the extreme rib. The organ has a shape in the form of a bag or a pear, one end is wide, the other is narrow. The optimal dimensions are 5–14 cm in length, 3–5 cm in width. The volume with an empty stomach is 30–80 ml, with congestion, the capacity increases significantly. The constituent structural elements of the gallbladder are the bottom, the body, the neck - the narrowest part, the cystic duct comes from it, which flows into the hepatic duct. By their fusion, a common bile duct is created - the common bile duct, which passes into the initial section of the duodenum.

The gallbladder has a complex structure:

• epithelial layer, in the structure of which - squamous epithelial cells and glandular cells;
• muscle layer, represented by muscle fibers of a smooth structure with circular circulation;
• connective tissue membrane - the outer layer of an organ with a vascular network located in it.

The gallbladder, as the main organ of the biliary system, acts as a repository for the accumulation, concentration and preservation of bile produced by the liver. Liver cells synthesize bile constantly, up to 1500 ml per day, which flows through the intrahepatic channels into the bladder cavity. Periodically, the gallbladder ejects a certain portion of the bile secretion into the duodenum, where the digestive processes are launched.

Bile release mechanism

The process of ejection of the bile secretion from the bladder is carried out in the course of a synchronized contraction of the walls of the organ and relaxation of the muscles of the sphincter of Oddi. The autonomic nervous system, special hormones (motilin, gastrin) and neuropeptides responsible for bladder motility are responsible for the release of bile. With a harmonious interaction of structures in the process of eating, the muscles of the gallbladder contract, which causes an increase in pressure inside the organ. At the same time, the sphincter of Lutkens-Martynov is relaxed - the bile secretion is secreted into the cystic duct, falling from there into the choledochus. Bypassing the sphincter of Oddi, bile flows into the duodenum, where the process of splitting food is activated.

The bile secretion is necessary for proper, complete digestion. The main functions of bile:

• stimulation of appetite and increased motility of the small intestine;
• transformation of the enzymatic abilities of pepsin;
• participation in the breakdown and absorption of lipids, fat-soluble vitamins;
• stimulation of the production of mucous secretions and intestinal hormones;
• activation of enzymes involved in the breakdown of proteins;
• acceleration of the process of division of the epithelium in the surface layer of the intestine;
• antibacterial action.

Reasons for the development of pathology

In gastroenterology, gallbladder dyskinesia is divided into primary and secondary. At the heart of this division are the reasons that provoked the disease. Also in modern gastroenterology, they are actively studying the theory of a violation in the functioning of liver cells, which immediately produce bile with a modified composition.

In the primary form of gallbladder dyskinesia, the causes of dysfunction lie in functional disorders caused by congenital imperfections of the organ and pathways through which the bile secretion circulates. Risk factors leading to the development of a primary form of dyskinesia:

• susceptibility to stressful situations, malfunctions of the nervous system provoke a discrepancy between contractile function and relaxation of the walls of the gallbladder and sphincters;
• malnutrition - intake of large amounts of food, abuse of fatty and fried foods, dry food, long time intervals between meals;
• hypodynamia combined with muscle hypertrophy and low body weight;
• diseases of allergic origin - food intolerance, atopic dermatitis;
• a hereditary factor that increases the risk of developing dyskinesia in offspring in the presence of pathology in one of the parents.

The secondary form of dyskinesia is presented in the form of structural transformations in the bile and ducts, formed due to past and existing pathologies. Common causes of secondary dyskinesia:

The classification of dyskinesia is based on the types of motor disorders. From this position, pathology is divided into hypo- and hypertonic.

• Hypotonic dyskinesia, or hypomotor - a kind of pathology, manifested in the form of a weak ability of the gallbladder to contract. The movement of bile through the ducts occurs at a slow pace. Hypomotor dyskinesia often develops in people over 40 years of age.
• Hypertensive dyskinesia (hypermotor) is associated with an accelerated ability of the organ and ducts to contract. It is detected more often in individuals with a dominant in the parasympathetic part of the nervous system, which causes high tension of the gallbladder.
• Hypotonic-hyperkinetic form of dyskinesia is a mixed variant of the disorder. The contractile capabilities of the bladder are unstable, able to accelerate and slow down regardless of meals.

Symptoms

The type of dyskinesia is of paramount importance on the nature of the clinical picture of the disease. Symptoms of dyskinesia of hyper- and hypomotor type are fundamentally different. With a hypotonic course of the pathology of the patient, the following symptoms are disturbing:

• Pain syndrome, and the pain is constant and lasts a long time, is aching or arching in nature. Localization - the right upper square of the peritoneum, under the lower edge of the costal arch, often the pain has a diffuse character. A typical feature of pain is an increase directly during and immediately after eating. The cause of the pain syndrome is associated with stretching of the bladder cavity with bile accumulated in a large volume.
• Belching during the day, regardless of food intake.
• Nausea, episodic vomiting with the presence of bile appears when the diet is violated and is caused by irritation of the nerve endings of the gastrointestinal tract.
• A bitter taste in the mouth that occurs on an empty stomach, after intense exercise or eating. The feeling of bitterness in the mouth occurs due to the reflux of bile into the cavity of the stomach and esophagus, from where it enters the oral cavity in small volumes.
• Increased gas formation in combination with painful discharge of gases is due to inadequate digestion of food due to a lack of bile secretion.
• Persistent loss of appetite due to inadequate secretion of bile into the duodenum.
• Violation of defecation, and loose stools with hypomotor dyskinesia rarely occur, and constipation is common.
• Excessive weight gain occurs with long-term dyskinesia and is caused by a slowdown in fat metabolism and increased accumulation of fat deposits in the hypodermis.

Additionally, hypomotor dyskinesia of the gallbladder is manifested by alarming symptoms from the autonomic nervous system. The reasons for their occurrence are not fully understood. A patient with hypomotor dyskinesia may be disturbed by:

• intense sweating;
• increased salivation;
• decrease in heart rate;
• hypotension;
• redness of the skin on the face.

Symptoms indicating the course of dyskinesia by hyperkinetic type:

• Pain of a colicky nature with a clear localization in the right side under the lower rib, radiating to the shoulder girdle or the region of the heart. The pain syndrome develops after stress, ingestion of indigestible food, intense physical exertion and lasts about 20 minutes. Attacks often occur in several episodes per day.
• Poor appetite and weight loss. The decrease in muscle mass occurs due to inadequate absorption of nutrients from food.
• Diarrhea that occurs during an attack and immediately after eating. Rapid loose stools occur due to the asynchronous release of bile secretion in large volumes into the lumen of the small intestine.
• Disorders of the autonomic nervous system in the form of sweating, tachycardia, stabbing pains in the heart, rise in blood pressure.

There are a number of common manifestations characteristic of all types of dyskinesia: yellowing of the skin and eye sclera against the background of significant stagnation of bile, the appearance of a dense gray coating on the surface of the tongue, discoloration of feces with simultaneous darkening of urine. In some patients with dyskinesia, the sense of taste is dulled. With a mixed type, the symptoms of gallbladder dyskinesia are combined and manifest in varying degrees of intensity.

Survey

Diagnosis for suspected biliary dyskinesia is complex and involves a number of procedures, including a physical examination with anamnesis, laboratory and instrumental methods. The doctor who determines the tactics and complex of diagnostic procedures is a gastroenterologist. Sometimes a neurological examination is required. The purpose of the diagnosis is to identify the type of dysmotility, the general condition of the bladder and biliary tract, and to establish background pathologies.

List of required laboratory procedures:

Confirmation of the diagnosis of "dyskinesia of the gallbladder" without a visual study of the state of the organ by high-precision studies is not possible. Sonography (ultrasound) is considered the most informative, painless and sparing method. With the help of ultrasound, the shape, volume, activity of the organ motility, the presence of anomalies in the structure are established. Classic echocardiographic features of the gallbladder in patients with dyskinesia:

• the organ is significantly enlarged in volume - a sign of stagnant processes and hypotonic JVP;
• the organ is less than adequate in size - a sign of too active ability to contract against the background of hypertensive dyskinesia;
• hypertrophied bladder walls signal severe inflammation in acute or chronic form;
• the presence of moving focal structures in the bladder cavity signals the development of cholelithiasis;
• with an increased diameter of the common bile duct, we are talking about dyskinesia of the bile ducts;
• the detection of motionless, clearly marked elements is an alarming sign indicating obstruction of the bile ducts or sphincters by stones.

High information content about the presence of destructive changes in the organs of the biliary system is provided by X-ray methods, including:

• cholecystography (with the ingestion of substances containing iodine as a contrast), the purpose of which is to reveal the structure of the bladder and ducts, the preservation of the reservoir function of the organ, capacity;
• cholangiography - a method that allows you to explore the biliary tract, their patency and motility by introducing contrast through percutaneous puncture;
• infusion cholecystography - a study with intravenous infusion of contrast, which allows to assess the contractility of the sphincter of Oddi;
• retrograde endoscopic cholangiography is performed using an endoscope and allows not only to assess the condition of the gallbladder cavity, but also to remove small stones from the ducts.

Treatment tactics

• drug treatment;
• correction of nutrition and lifestyle;
• physiotherapy;
• use of mineral waters.

Drug treatment of gallbladder dyskinesia is selected based on the type of pathology. With hypermotor dyskinesia appoint:

• Cholekinetics that increase the contractility of the bladder while lowering the tone of the bile ducts. Reception of cholekinetics - Gepabene, Galstena - accelerates the release of bile secretion, dilutes it and normalizes the flow into the duodenum.
• Preparations with analgesic and antispasmodic action help relieve pain and spasm, relax the muscles in the walls of the gallbladder, ducts, sphincter of Oddi. Of the antispasmodics, Paraverin and Drotaverin are prescribed, with a strong pain syndrome - intramuscularly, with a moderate one - orally. Analgesics, including narcotic (Tramadol), are indicated for the relief of sharp pain during an attack.
• Of the drugs with a sedative effect - bromides and drugs based on plant extracts (valerian tincture). Sedatives contribute to the restoration of the normal functioning of the autonomic nervous system and the removal of dystonic manifestations.

With dyskinesia of the hypomotor type, drug treatment consists of other drugs:

• Choleretics are drugs with a choleretic effect that improve the motility of the organ and ducts. Choleretics (Holenzim, Allochol) normalize digestion, lower the concentration of cholesterol in the blood when taken in a course.
• Tubeless tubes based on xylitol, sorbitol are indicated for congestion, but without exacerbation. The purpose of tubage is to improve the secretion of bile secretions from the bladder and ducts. To achieve a positive result, the procedure is carried out weekly, with a course of at least 6 procedures.
• Preparations with a tonic effect for the correction of the neuro-emotional state - tincture of echinacea, ginseng - improve metabolism, normalize blood pressure, increase the adaptive capacity of the body.

With a mixed course of dyskinesia, drugs with a prokinetic and antiemetic effect are prescribed for admission - Motilium, Cerucal. Papaverine, No-shpa are suitable for stopping painful spasms. In all forms of pathology with a predominance of VVD symptoms, antidepressants (Melipramine, Elivel, Sertraline) and painkillers - Ketorolac, Dexamethasone, Anaprilin are required.

Other therapeutic measures

Simultaneously with the main therapy, activities are carried out that increase the positive effect of the treatment - physiotherapy, getting rid of background pathologies, and taking mineral waters. From physiotherapy for hypermotor dyskinesia, electrophoresis is used on the gallbladder area, laser and paraffin applications. Amplipulse therapy is useful for patients with hypokinetic bladder dysfunction. Sometimes a good effect for the normalization of the biliary tract with dyskinesia brings hirudotherapy, acupuncture and acupressure courses.

Treatment with the use of mineral waters is carried out outside the acute period and helps to strengthen the body and restore the digestive system. Patients with a diagnosis of "hypertonic dyskinesia" benefit from taking mineral waters with low mineralization (Narzan), with a hypotonic variant, it is optimal to use waters with a high concentration of minerals and salts (Essentuki 17). Regardless of the form of dyskinesia, patients are shown to stay in sanatoriums and resorts with an emphasis on the treatment of the digestive system.

Lifestyle and diet

Patients with dyskinesia for a speedy recovery should adjust their lifestyle. A full night's sleep for at least 8 hours, going to bed at the same time (no later than 23-00), an established nutrition system in compliance with the time intervals between meals (3-4 hours), alternating physical and intellectual labor - simple measures , compliance with which supports optimal metabolism and the smooth operation of all organs, including the biliary tract.

A diet with a diagnosis of gallbladder dyskinesia is necessary regardless of the type of disorder; without a revision of the diet, the effect of treatment will be minimal. The purpose of dietary nutrition is sparing and normalization of the digestive tract. The duration of the diet depends on the severity of the pathology, but on average it is prescribed up to 4 months. After recovery, it is necessary to avoid errors in nutrition and expand the diet gradually.

The diet for patients with dyskinesia involves the exclusion of a number of foods from the diet:

• fatty meat and fish;
• salty, fatty, smoked, sour, spicy, fried foods;
• alcohol;
• vegetables high in acids and fiber - sorrel, peas, beans;
• fresh pastries and muffins, sweet confectionery;
• fatty dairy products;
• canned food and products with additives, flavor enhancers.

If the patient has a confirmed hyperkinetic type of pathology, foods that contribute to excessive secretion of bile are excluded from the diet - sausages and sausages, egg yolk, pork and veal (even boiled).

The diet for patients with hypo- and hypermotor dyskinesia includes lean pastries from second-grade flour, meat, poultry and fish with a minimum fat content, fresh or thermally processed vegetables, soups with cereals and pasta, low-fat sour-milk products. Sweet fruits are allowed - bananas, peaches, soft pears. From drinks, you can take vegetable or fruit juices, weak tea with the addition of milk, compotes.

The basic principle of the diet for dyskinesia is fractional meals in small portions. Overeating is unacceptable. Preference in heat treatment is given to cooking, baking, stewing. During the period of relapse, food should be carefully crushed and served in a puree-like homogeneous form. Outside the acute period, food is served in its usual form. An important rule in organizing nutrition is limiting the daily dose of salt to 3 g in order to avoid stagnation of excess fluid in the body.

Phytotherapy

Along with other biliary pathologies, biliary dyskinesia can be treated with traditional medicine. Often, doctors recommend taking infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs in addition to drug therapy. However, phytotherapy should be started after recovery from relapse and subsidence of acute manifestations.

With a confirmed hypertensive form of dyskinesia, recipes will help alleviate the patient's condition and speed up recovery:

• infusion of peppermint - 250 ml of boiling water is added to 10 g of raw materials, left to infuse for 30 minutes, filtered and taken half an hour before breakfast, lunch, dinner;
• a decoction of licorice root - 10 g of raw material is poured into a glass of boiling water and kept in a water bath for 25 minutes, filtered and drunk before the main meal for 30 minutes.

If the patient has hypokinetic dyskinesia, herbs with a choleretic effect - corn stigmas and immortelle - will help improve gallbladder motility. Additionally, such herbs improve the work of the digestive tract, remove excess cholesterol from the body.

• Infusion of corn stigmas - add a glass of boiling water to 10 g of raw materials, let it brew for half an hour, filter. Take a quarter cup 30 minutes before meals. The course lasts 3 weeks.
• A decoction of immortelle - 30 g of raw material is poured into 300 ml of boiling water and kept in a water bath for 30 minutes, constantly stirring the composition. After cooling, filter and drink 50 ml three times a day, before meals. The course of treatment is not less than 21 days.

If a person suffers from a mixed type of pathology, it is recommended to take chamomile tea. Regular intake will help relieve inflammation, improve intestinal motility and gallbladder motility, relieve dyspeptic signs of dyskinesia in the form of flatulence and bloating. Additionally, chamomile tea stops negative manifestations of the nervous system - normalizes sleep, improves appetite. The preparation method is simple - 10 g of chamomile flowers are steamed with 200 ml of boiling water, left for 5 minutes, filtered. You can drink tea up to 4 times a day, for a long time.

Patients with dyskinesia of the gallbladder need constant medical supervision. With early detection of the disease, adequately selected treatment and annual maintenance therapy, lifelong dieting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the prognosis for recovery is favorable. Refusal of treatment and ignoring medical prescriptions always lead to negative consequences in the form of early stone formation and inflammation of the gallbladder.

It would seem that people and dogs can have in common? But it turns out that our smaller brothers suffer from the same diseases as people.

One such disease is cholecystitis. This disease is very secretive and is diagnosed at rather late stages, so the owners need to know what cholecystitis is in a dog, how it manifests itself and what causes it.

Cholecystitis and its classification

Normally, bile, consisting of bile acids, water, bilirubin, cholesterol and electrolytes, is located in the gallbladder and enters from here into the duodenum, where it plays an important role in the digestive process:

• promotes the digestion of fats by splitting them into small particles;
• improves the absorption of processed fats;
• enhances the excretion of cholesterol.

Any disturbance in this well-established process is the cause of the disease of the biliary system. Cholecystitis is a pathological condition caused by inflammation of the gallbladder mucosa in dogs and damage to its ducts.

There are also acute and chronic cholecystitis.

What causes cholecystitis?

Veterinarians believe that dogs get cholecystitis for the following reasons:

Most often, problems with the biliary system occur in middle-aged or older animals, and in German shepherds the risk of cholecystitis is especially high.

Symptoms of cholecystitis

The liver and gallbladder are the most important organs that have a direct impact on digestion and many metabolic processes in the dog's body. Therefore, any failure in this mechanism has the most negative impact on the general condition of the animal, its appetite and has certain signs.

The owner of the dog should carefully consider his pet if he observes the following symptoms in him:

1. Deterioration of the dog's well-being, expressed by weakness, apathetic behavior, drowsiness.
2. Changing the structure of wool - it stops shining, becomes inelastic, may fall out.
3. The dog's appetite decreases, it may even completely refuse food and lose weight.
4. There are problems with the gastrointestinal tract - the dog may be tormented by vomiting or intestinal upset.
5. The animal has pain in the right side, and when stroked in this area, the dog whines and worries.
6. In severe cases, yellow coloration of the whites of the eyes and mucous membranes of the nose and mouth may appear.
7. Urine becomes orange-yellow, and feces, on the contrary, become discolored.
8. Sometimes the temperature may rise.

Many of these symptoms can also apply to other diseases, so only a veterinarian can make an accurate diagnosis.

Diagnosis of the disease and treatment of cholecystitis

For an accurate diagnosis, the veterinarian will prescribe your pet a comprehensive examination, which includes various types of diagnostics:

1. General and biochemical blood tests.
2. General urine analysis.
3. Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.
4. X-ray.

According to the results of a blood test, changes in liver parameters are visible, which, first of all, indicate problems with the gallbladder. Ultrasound examination will show congenital anomalies of the gallbladder, excess bile, suspension or sediment.

After the diagnosis is made, the animal is prescribed complex treatment.

If the disease is in the acute phase, then for a start, the dog may be prescribed therapeutic fasting for 2-3 days or a strict diet with a certain diet.

To begin with, the veterinarian will prescribe ascorbic, salicylic acid and calcium, which will help relieve inflammation. Then, with the help of antispasmodics, the spasm of the bile ducts and the gallbladder itself is eliminated.

If the disease is detected in the later stages, the therapy does not give the desired result and appears, then a surgical operation to remove the gallbladder can be performed, after which, with a diet and a healthy lifestyle, the animal can live for a long time.

Cholecystitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the gallbladder. As a rule, this disease is associated with a bacterial infection. It is worth noting that cholecystitis in dogs is often combined with inflammation and blockage of the bile ducts.

Causes and nature of the course of the disease

Clinical picture

As a rule, cholecystitis in dogs is manifested by refusal to eat, oppression of the animal, vomiting, pain in the left hypochondrium. There may be jaundice. Its severity is affected by the degree of inflammatory lesions of the gallbladder. Cholecystitis can be complicated by the development of shock.

Diagnostics

A blood test reveals an increase in the level of leukocytes and the appearance of toxic neutrophils. An increased content of bilirubin is found in the blood and urine. In addition, there is an increase in the level of liver enzymes. If gallbladder damage is suspected, abdominocentesis is indicated. This is a cytological study of fluid from the gallbladder. To identify the causative agent of a bacterial infection, a cultural study is used. Prevention of complications associated with impaired blood clotting involves the implementation of a coagulogram. Plain radiography is performed to detect local or diffuse peritonitis, gallbladder stones and its increased density. Ultrasound is indicated to confirm the diagnosis. Evidence of the inflammatory process is the detection of a double wall of the gallbladder. In addition, ultrasound helps to identify free fluid in the abdominal cavity.

In some cases, liver biopsy and exploratory laparotomy are recommended.

Cholecystitis in dogs must be distinguished from inflammation of the pancreas, peritonitis, lesions of the stomach and intestines, liver necrosis and abscesses, and sepsis.

Treatment of the disease

First of all, the restoration of water and electrolyte balance is carried out. For this, infusion therapy (sodium chloride solution) is used. With a decrease in the amount of proteins, the introduction of fresh frozen plasma is prescribed. When a microbial infection is detected, antibacterial drugs are used (metronidazole, clindamycin, ampicillin, etc.). To stimulate the secretion of bile, the use of ursodeoxycholic acid is indicated.

If conservative treatment fails, cholecystectomy is indicated. It's about removing the gallbladder. It is worth noting that surgical interventions on this organ can be complicated by a decrease in heart rate, a decrease in pressure, etc.

Cholecystitis in dogs is one of the human diseases that pets are susceptible to. The main symptom of the disease will be an inflammatory process in the gallbladder, which can occur due to infections. Pathology usually proceeds in a chronic form, sometimes exacerbations occur in the process of development. It is difficult to diagnose cholecystitis at the initial stage. The owner of the animal should be more attentive to the behavior of his pet, so as not to miss the onset of a formidable disease.

Learn more about cholecystitis in dogs

The gallbladder serves as a reservoir for bile. A healthy dog ​​body produces up to 1 ml of fluid per kilogram of live weight. Bile goes to the duodenum, where it participates in the digestive process. When the walls of the organ are violated, inflammation begins in it, which turns into cholecystitis.

Often this process is combined with cholecystolithiasis, which is characterized by the presence of stones in the pet's gallbladder. Stagnant processes begin in the organ, which can lead to its ruptures.

Varieties of the disease

Pathology is divided into several types, which depend on the causes of the disease.

Obstructive cholecystitis. The disease develops due to compression of the bile ducts, liver tumors and other causes. May occur due to stones in the body.

Causes of the disease

Cholecystitis can also develop due to malnutrition, especially if the dog’s menu lacks vitamin A, there are many fatty foods, or the food is dry and of poor quality. The gallbladder can also become inflamed if the pet is fed in large portions.

In addition, if proper nutrition is not followed, the pancreas becomes inflamed in the dog, colitis develops in the dog and fatty liver, an ulcer may occur.
Owners should remember that some breeds have a genetic predisposition to this disease, and it is also inherited. Another less common cause is injury.

Symptoms of cholecystitis in a dog: a clinical picture

In a dog, the disease can be recognized by a number of signs:

• diarrhea or constipation.
• belching after eating.
• vomiting with remnants of food and bile.
• bloating.
• dog stool turns pale
• the animal loses weight.
• apathy and lethargy of the pet.
• the dog moves less.

In addition, for a pet patient with cholecystitis, this posture is typical: the animal lies on its stomach and arches its back up. The gums and sclera of the eyes become yellowish, and the urine, on the contrary, acquires a bright carrot hue due to an increase in the concentration of bilirubin in the blood. The temperature may rise for a short time, and may turn into a feverish state.

On palpation with fingers, the owner sees that touching the abdomen causes pain. Symptoms of dehydration are also characteristic: the skin becomes less elastic, dry, the coat fades and becomes unkempt.
Often, in the initial stage of the disease, the pathology does not have pronounced symptoms, which complicates its diagnosis. The owner notices changes in the appearance of the behavior of the pet when the inflammation has already begun.

The chronic stage of cholecystitis in a dog is generally detected only during an exacerbation. The dog has persistent stool disorders, increased gas formation, and a swollen belly. The owner notices that the gases acquire a sharp unpleasant odor, while the dog's heart and breathing are normal. Sometimes there is an increase in temperature, but most often, when a number of others join this disease.

Diagnostics

It is possible to diagnose the disease only when an acute inflammatory process has begun. A blood sample is taken from the dog for analysis. What will he show if the pet has cholecystitis? In the blood, the number of leukocytes increases, there are more immature cells, the level of ESR and bilirubin is increased. In addition, alkaline phosphatase increases.

When analyzing dog feces, laboratory tests reveal fatty acids, fiber. It is also necessary to conduct a liver biopsy to see if there is blockage of the ducts and congestion.

Additionally, they offer to conduct an ultrasound scan of the internal organs of the pet, for this, the dog's hair is shaved on the stomach. Before the procedure, the animal cannot be fed for 12 hours, so that there is less food and accumulation of gases in the intestines.

The pet is placed on a special table on its back and rollers are placed under its sides. If the gallbladder has not undergone any changes, then it is easy to see it on ultrasound. With stagnation of bile, its walls visually merge with nearby tissues, which complicates the doctor's diagnosis. In addition, with cholecystitis, bile becomes heterogeneous.
With this disease, doctors also detect changes in and nearby organs and tissues. Often the bile duct expands and becomes thicker, and there is a lot of gas in the dog's intestines.

Treatment of cholecystitis in a dog

Treatment depends on the stage of the disease, its form, the age of the dog and the causes of its cause. The first actions of the doctor are aimed at eliminating the consequences of dehydration of the pet's body and eliminating poisoning with toxic substances. The doctor injects the animal through a vein with a saline solution with another drug added to it.
In order to reduce toxic damage to the liver and improve heart function, it is necessary to supplement saline with calcium gluconate.

In order to normalize the metabolism, it is recommended to supplement it with a glucose solution, in order to reduce the intoxication of the body, hemodez should be used.
If the condition of the dog is very serious, then doctors recommend not giving food for about 12 hours. Then the pet should be kept on a diet with a restriction of protein and fatty foods for some time.

If there is an inflammatory process in the internal organs, then the dog is treated with preparations containing calcium, salicylic acid.
With severe pain in the abdominal cavity, antispasmodics should be taken. It can be No-shpa, Belalgin and other means. For the relief of pain of another etiology, it is recommended to use Baralgin, Besalol.

If the dog has an increased viscosity of bile, then the doctor prescribes ursodeoxycholic acid to the pet, and the use of Allochol or an infusion of corn stigmas will help to disinfect the ducts of the organ. To improve liver function, the use of Essentiale forte will help.

About the author: Ekaterina Alekseevna Soforova

Veterinary doctor of the intensive care unit of the veterinary center "Northern Lights". Read more about me in the "About Us" section.