Ultrasonographic patterns, clinical findings, and prognostic variables in dogs from Asia with gallbladder mucocele

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder mucocele (GBM) is a common biliary disorder in dogs that can be categorized into 6 types, but the value of this classification scheme remains unknown. Cholecystectomy is associated with high death rates and warrants additional interrogation. OBJECTIVES: Investigate the clinical value of ultrasonographic diagnosis of type of GBM and identify prognostic factors in dogs with GBM undergoing cholecystectomy. ANIMALS: Two hundred sixteen dogs. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Dogs with GBM diagnosed from 2014 to 2019 at 6 veterinary referral hospitals in Asia. Ultrasonogram images were reviewed and a GBM type (ie, types I‐VI) assigned. RESULTS: Dogs with GBM type V as compared to I (OR, 8.6; 95% CI, 2.6‐27.8; P < .001) and III (OR, 10.0; 95% CI, 2.5‐40.8; P = .001), and dogs with type VI compared to I (OR, 10.5; 95% CI, 1.8‐61.2; P = .009) and III (OR, 12.3; 95% CI, 1.8‐83.9; P = .01) were more likely to exhibit signs of biliary tract disease. Independent predictors of death after cholecystectomy included age (OR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.41‐5.59; P = .003) and intraoperative systolic blood pressure (SBP) nadir. There was an interaction between SBP nadir and gallbladder rupture; SBP nadir in dogs with (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.89‐0.94; P < .001) and without (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.82‐0.93; P < .001) gallbladder rupture. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Increasing developmental stage of GBM could be associated with an increased likelihood of biliary tract related clinical signs. Nadir SBP deserves further investigation as a prognostic or potentially modifiable variable, particularly in the presence of gallbladder rupture.