The gall bladder is probably not an area of the body that you give much thought to until it goes wrong! If your dog has recently been diagnosed with a gallbladder problem then you might have a few questions. We’ll explore the ins and outs of the gallbladder and cover some commonly asked questions.

Table of contents

What is the gallbladder?

First things first, let’s look at what the gallbladder is and what it does. The gallbladder is a small organ in the abdomen, located near the liver and pancreas. This sac-like organ collects bile produced by the liver, concentrates it and releases it via the bile duct into the intestines.

Bile can pass directly from the liver to the intestines to digest fatty foods during the consumption of a meal. But between mealtimes, this yellow-brown liquid flows into the gallbladder where it is held. When a fatty meal is eaten later on, the gallbladder contracts and releases the stored bile.

Bile salts contained in bile help to break down fat into smaller droplets so that they can be more easily digested by enzymes released by the pancreas. As well as bile salts, bile also contains other components including bile pigments such as bilirubin (broken down red blood cells), water, cholesterol and certain fats.

What happens when the gallbladder goes wrong?

If the gallbladder is not able to function and perform its role properly then bile may start to back up. The gallbladder may become swollen and enlarged, and in some cases could even rupture. Gallbladder disease is a painful condition and can lead to lots of secondary issues. Inflammation, infection or obstruction are the main problems that occur during gallbladder disease. Not only will your pet be uncomfortable, but they can start to become very unwell too.

Are there symptoms of gallbladder disease?

Common symptoms of gallbladder disease include –

  • Abdominal pain – hunched posture or crying when their abdomen is touched
  • Jaundice – yellowing of the skin, eyes and mucous membranes due to a build-up of bilirubin in the body. Often seen in liver or gallbladder disease
  • Vomiting and/or diarrhoea – digestive upset is often seen with gallbladder disease
  • Reduced appetite – animals that have painful gallbladder problems often have a reduced appetite
  • Abdominal distension – severe gallbladder disease may cause liver enlargement or an increase in abdominal fluid leading to an enlarged abdomen

Types of gallbladder disease

There is not one type of gallbladder disease, it can arise from several different underlying causes. These include –

Cholecystitis

This is the most common gall bladder issue seen in dogs. It means inflammation of the gallbladder which can actually be caused by a variety of underlying problems, including infections, blockages, or even tumours.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the nearby pancreas can have a knock-on impact on the gallbladder, causing obstruction and changes in the way that the bile flows from the gallbladder.

Gallstones

Gallstones are made up of components of bile including cholesterol, bilirubin and calcium. Sometimes, these substances layer together and eventually form a hard stone, called a cholelith or gallstone. These stones occur when something goes wrong with the gall bladder or with the bile itself, preventing the bile from flowing smoothly.

Cancer

Different types of tumours can occur in the gallbladder or the nearby liver tissue causing inflammation or obstruction. Some may be benign but others may have the potential to spread elsewhere in the body.

Trauma 

A severe blow to the abdomen or a complication during a recent surgery could cause inflammation of the gallbladder.

Cholangiohepatitis 

A rare condition in dogs, caused by a bacterial infection of the gallbladder.

Gallbladder Mucocele 

This is an abnormal accumulation of bile within the bile ducts that leads to bile duct obstruction. It can be an inherited condition in breeds like Shetland Sheepdogs.

Congenital defects: 

Some dogs may be born with an abnormality of their gallbladder which could give rise to problems.

How is gallbladder disease diagnosed?

Your vet will start by examining your dog, looking out for clues like jaundice (yellowing of the gums and eyes) and a painful abdomen. Blood tests are usually advised to look at your dog’s biochemistry (liver enzymes, kidney values etc) and haematology (red and white blood cells). More specific blood tests may be advised, for example for pancreatitis.

Diagnostic imaging such as radiographs (X-rays) and ultrasound scans are needed to identify if it is gallbladder disease and what might be causing it. Sometimes samples may be advised, for example, a fine needle can be inserted into the gallbladder to take a sample of the bile for analysis.

How is gallbladder disease treated?

Many dogs with gallbladder disease may require hospitalisation and supportive treatment for their symptoms such as intravenous fluids (a drip), pain relief and anti-nausea medications. To treat the gallbladder disease itself they may require antibiotics, bile acid modifiers like ursodeoxycholic acid (‘Destolit’ or ‘Urdox’), a change in diet and possibly even surgery.

Treatment is important, as without it your dog could become very sick and it could even be fatal in cases of gallbladder rupture. Your vet will talk you through the options for your pet depending on their diagnosis.

So, is gallbladder disease common in dogs?

While gallbladder disease is not as common in dogs as it is in people, vets do diagnose it relatively frequently. Some of the underlying causes of gallbladder problems are more common such as pancreatitis, whereas others like cholangiohepatitis are rare.

Exact information about the prevalence of gallbladder disease in dogs is hard to find. The main issue is that many of the symptoms of gallbladder disease are non-specific and can be seen in other disease processes too. That is why it is important to properly investigate things further with tests as advised by your vet to get a definite diagnosis.

Summary

There are many different underlying causes for gallbladder disease in dogs and symptoms often overlap with those seen in other illnesses. If your dog is unwell, or you suspect they might have a gallbladder issue, then it is important to get them checked over as soon as possible. By ignoring the signs your dog could become very sick, so early intervention is key.

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