Canine multi-septate gall bladders in Bull Terrier puppies: First description and follow up of the most affected one

Summary Six Bull Terrier puppies of 2 months had ultrasound exam for detection of any liver, kidney and heart anomalies before sale. All had hyperechogenic septa, in the gall bladder, giving it a honeycomb appearance. The puppy, whose septa were the biggest developed cholecystitis and a gall bladder abscess with two gall stones at the age of 5. Septation of the gall bladder is a very rare malformation in humans. One author formulated the hypothesis of a vacuolation anomaly of the gall bladder which occurred during embryo development. Among the 44 human cases published, 12 concerned asymptomatic patients. Clinical manifestations are most frequently biliary symptoms: vomiting and nausea combined with a pain in the upper quadrant of the abdomen. The prevalence of the anomaly among the population is unknown. This case is, as far as we know, the first description of ultrasound modifications and clinical development of multi-septate gall bladder in dog.