Prevalence of hepatic lesions at post-mortem examination in dogs and association with pancreatitis

Objectives : To assess the prevalence of canine chronic hepatitis (CH) and other liver diseases in first opinion practice and identify associations with concurrent chronic pancreatitis (CP). Methods : One large section of left lateral lobe of liver was taken from 200 unselected canine post-mortem examinations from first opinion practices. Histological changes were categorised based on WSAVA criteria. Prevalence of CH and other liver diseases were calculated. Relative risks (RR) for liver histopathology in association with CP and for CH in different breeds were also calculated. Results : The prevalence of CH was 12%. Some breeds had an increased RR of CH, although sample sizes were small. Dogs with CP had an increased RR of reactive hepatitis but no significant association with the other liver diseases. Clinical Significance : CH is common in the first opinion dog population but less common than CP. CP was significantly associated with reactive hepatitis but not CH. Possible breed associations mirrored another recent UK study. Some dogs with CP may be erroneously diagnosed clinically as having CH on the basis of increased serum liver enzymes because of concurrent reactive hepatitis if the diagnosis is not confirmed histologically.     

A pilot study to assess tolerability of early enteral nutrition via esophagostomy tube feeding in dogs with severe acute pancreatitis

Background: The putative role of the gut in amplification of systemic inflammation in acute pancreatitis is gaining credence, and intraluminal nutrition has been shown to decrease inflammation in experimental models of pancreatitis. Prepyloric feeding often is used in people with acute pancreatitis, but has not been evaluated in dogs. Hypothesis: Early intervention with enteral nutrition (EN) delivered proximal to the pylorus will be well tolerated in dogs with acute pancreatitis and provide justification for further larger trials. Animals: Ten dogs with severe acute pancreatitis in an open‐label, prospective pilot study. Methods: Dogs were treated with plasma transfusion and standard care, and then consecutively assigned to receive either EN via esophagostomy tube feeding or parenteral nutrition (PN). Outcome was used to determine optimal study size for future studies, and complications were compared between the 2 groups. Results: A significantly greater number of vomiting or regurgitating episodes occurred in dogs receiving PN. The dogs receiving EN did not demonstrate any noticeable postprandial pain. There were more catheter‐related complications in the PN group. There was no difference in outcome between the 2 treatments, and 43 dogs for each treatment would be required in future studies to determine a difference in outcome. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Early EN delivered proximal to the pylorus is well tolerated in dogs with severe pancreatitis and resulted in fewer complications than PN. Prospective trials in a larger cohort are justified to fully establish the potential benefit of early EN, preferably compared with minimal enteral nutrition.     

Aggressive behavior in the English cocker spaniel

A high percentage of aggression problems and a tendency to display noninhibited aggression in the English cocker spaniel (ECS) have been suggested by many authors. The authors of this paper designed a retrospective study to analyze the aggressive behavior of 145 ECSs presented for aggression problems to the Animal Behavior Service at the Barcelona School of Veterinary Medicine's veterinary teaching hospital. Aggressive ECSs were compared with a population of dogs of the same breed presented for a behavior problem other than aggression and with a population of aggressive dogs of other breeds. The most common forms of aggression in the ECS were owner-directed aggression (67.6%), aggression toward unfamiliar people (18.4%), aggression toward unfamiliar dogs (10.1%), and aggression toward family dogs (3.3%).Owner-directed aggression was more common in the ECS than in other breeds, although in similar contexts. In the ECS, the golden coat color was more common in the aggressive dogs than in nonaggressive dogs. ECSs showed impulsive aggression more frequently than aggressive dogs of other breeds. The aim of the study was to analyze cases of aggressive ECSs seen in a referral practice.     

Serum triglyceride concentrations in Miniature Schnauzers with and without a history of probable pancreatitis

Background: The association between hypertriglyceridemia and pancreatitis remains obscure in dogs. A possible role of hypertriglyceridemia as a cause of pancreatitis in Miniature Schnauzers has been suspected. Hypothesis/Objectives: To compare serum triglyceride concentrations between Miniature Schnauzers with and without a recent history of pancreatitis. Animals: Seventeen Miniature Schnauzers with a history of pancreatitis (group 1) and 34 age‐matched Miniature Schnauzers without a history of pancreatitis (group 2) were prospectively enrolled. Methods: Prospective case‐control study. Two samples were collected from each of the 17 Miniature Schnauzers with pancreatitis: 1 during pancreatitis and 1 after clinical and biochemical resolution of pancreatitis. Serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were compared between group 1 (after resolution of pancreatitis) and group 2. Results: Miniature Schnauzers in group 1 were significantly more likely to have hypertriglyceridemia (>108 mg/dL) (71%) after resolution of pancreatitis than Miniature Schnauzers in group 2 (33%; odds ratio = 5.02; 95% confidence interval = 1.4–17.8; P= .0163). Serum triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher in dogs of group 1 (median: 605.0 mg/dL) after resolution of pancreatitis than in dogs of group 2 (median: 73.5 mg/dL; P= .002). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Miniature Schnauzers with a history of pancreatitis were 5 times more likely to have hypertriglyceridemia than controls. Hypertriglyceridemia might be associated with the development of pancreatitis in some dogs of this breed. Additional studies are needed to further clarify the role of hypertriglyceridemia in the development of pancreatitis in Miniature Schnauzers as well as other dog breeds.     

Serum C-reactive protein concentrations in healthy Miniature Schnauzer dogs

Background: C‐reactive protein (CRP) is a sensitive marker for inflammation in people and dogs. In people, an association between CRP concentration and atherosclerosis has been reported. Atherosclerosis is rare in dogs, but the Miniature Schnauzer breed may be at increased risk for developing this vascular disease. It is not known if CRP concentrations in Miniature Schnauzer dogs differ from those in other dog breeds. Objectives: Our objectives were to validate an automated human CRP assay for measuring CRP in dogs and compare CRP concentrations in healthy Miniature Schnauzer dogs with those in non‐Miniature Schnauzer breeds. Methods: Sera from 37 non‐Miniature Schnauzer dogs with inflammatory disease were pooled and used to validate a human CRP immunoturbidimetric assay for measuring canine CRP. Blood was collected from 20 healthy Miniature Schnauzer dogs and 41 healthy dogs of other breeds. Median serum CRP concentration of healthy Miniature Schnauzer dogs was compared with that of healthy non‐Miniature Schnauzer dogs. Results: The human CRP assay measured CRP reliably with linearity between 0 and 20 mg/L. CRP concentration for healthy Miniature Schnauzer dogs (median 4.0 mg/L, minimum–maximum 0–18.2 mg/L) was significantly higher than for the healthy non‐Miniature Schnauzer dogs (median 0.1 mg/L, minimum–maximum 0–10.7 mg/L); 17 of the 20 Miniature Schnauzer dogs had values that overlapped with those of the non‐Miniature Schnauzer dogs. Conclusions: Median CRP concentration of Miniature Schnauzer dogs was slightly higher than that of other breeds of dogs. A relationship between higher CRP concentration in Miniature Schnauzer dogs and idiopathic hyperlipidemia, pancreatitis, and possible increased risk for atherosclerosis remains to be determined.     

Differences in serotonin serum concentration between aggressive English cocker spaniels and aggressive dogs of other breeds

Aggression is one of the most common behavioral problems in dogs and may have important negative effects on public health, human–animal bond, and animal welfare. There is ample evidence showing a negative correlation between serum serotonin concentration and aggressive behavior in a variety of species, including the domestic dogs. This negative correlation is particularly pronounced in dogs that show impulsive aggression. Data obtained in some previous studies suggest that the English cocker spaniel (ECS) is more likely to show impulsive aggression than other breeds. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze possible differences in serum serotonin levels between aggressive ECS and aggressive dogs of other breeds. Nineteen ECSs presented for aggression at the Animal Behavior Service (School of Veterinary Science, Barcelona, Spain) were evaluated and compared with 20 aggressive dogs of other breeds attended at the same center. Serum serotonin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS 15.0 for Windows. Aggressive ECSs had significantly (P < 0.001) lower levels of serum serotonin than aggressive dogs of other breeds (318.6 ± 67.1 and 852.77 ± 100.58 ng/mL, respectively). Variances were not significantly different between ECSs and other breeds (standard deviation = 449.84 ng/mL vs. 292.47 ng/mL, P > 0.05). This finding may explain why ECSs are more likely to show impulsive aggression than other breeds, and suggests that the ECS could be a good model to study the neurophysiologic mechanisms underlying impulsive aggression.     

Canine hyperlipidaemia

Hyperlipidaemia refers to an increased concentration of lipids in the blood. Hyperlipidaemia is common in dogs and has recently emerged as an important clinical condition that requires a systematic diagnostic approach and appropriate treatment. Hyperlipidaemia can be either primary or secondary to other diseases. Secondary hyperlipidaemia is the most common form in dogs, and it can be a result of endocrine disorders, pancreatitis, cholestasis, protein‐losing nephropathy, obesity, as well as other conditions and the use of certain drugs. Primary hyperlipidaemia is less common in the general canine population but it can be very common within certain breeds. Hypertriglyceridaemia of Miniature Schnauzers is the most common form of primary hyperlipidaemia in dogs but other breeds are also affected. Possible complications of hyperlipidaemia in dogs include pancreatitis, liver disease, atherosclerosis, ocular disease and seizures. Management of primary hyperlipidaemia in dogs is achieved by administration of ultra low‐fat diets with or without the administration of lipid lowering drugs such as omega‐3 fatty acids, fibrates, niacin and statins.     

Congenital dilatation of the large and segmental intrahepatic bile ducts (Caroli's disease) in two Golden retriever littermates

Two, sibling, male Golden retriever puppies, 13 weeks of age, were presented with congenital biliary cysts of the liver involving both hepatic and segmental bile ducts, as well as bilateral polycystic kidney disease. Ultrasonography of the livers of both pups demonstrated segmental cystic lesions that were contiguous with the bile ducts. Histopathology revealed cystic ectatic bile duct hyperplasia and dysplasia with variable portal fibrosis in the liver, while in the kidneys there were radially arranged, cylindrically dilated cysts of the collecting ducts, which extended through the medulla and cortex. This pathology was compatible with that of congenital dilatation of the large and segmental bile ducts (Caroli's disease) described in humans, dogs and rats. In humans Caroli's disease has an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, while in rats activation of the MEK5/ERK cascade initiates the biliary dysgenesis of Caroli's disease in this species. However, the exact mode of inheritance and pathogenesis of Caroli's disease in dogs is as yet unknown. Previous reports on congenital hepatic cystic diseases of the dog have described Caroli's disease like lesions in various breeds, but these are believed to be the 1st reported cases in the Golden retriever breed.     

High hepatitis E virus antibody positive rates in dogs and humans exposed to dogs in the south‐west of China

Hepatitis E (HE) is a zoonotic viral disease caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV). The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of HEV infection among dogs and humans exposed to dogs in the south‐west region of China. A total of 4,490 dog serum samples and 2,206 relative practitioner serum samples were collected from 18 pet hospitals and dog farms in Yunnan, Sichuan and Guizhou province, and the anti‐HEV IgG antibodies were detected by ELISA. The results showed that the total positive rate of anti‐HEV antibodies was 36.55% with the highest rate in city stray dogs, and the differences in distinct species and growth phases were significant. The positive rate of anti‐HEV antibody in veterinarian and farm staff‐related practitioners was significantly higher than the general population. The finding of the present survey suggested that high HEV seroprevalence in dogs and humans exposed to dogs in the south‐west area of China poses a significant public health concern. It is urgent to improve integrated strategies to detect, prevent and control HEV infection in dogs and humans exposed to dogs in this area.     

Meningomyelitis in dogs: a retrospective review of 28 cases (1999 to 2007)

Objectives : To characterise dogs with meningomyelitis and to compare signalment, body temperature and vaccination status to a representative control group. Methods : Dogs with meningomyelitis were identified retrospectively. Signalment, history, vaccination status, body temperature, severity of neurological dysfunction (modified Frankel score), diagnostic procedures, aetiology, survival to discharge and long‐term survival were analysed. Results : Affected dogs were younger (P<0·05) and more frequently hound or toy breeds (P<0·05) when compared with controls. Hound and toy breed dogs less than or equal to three years of age had a 13 times higher odds of meningomyelitis compared with other breeds (P<0·001). General proprioceptive ataxia, limb paresis and paraspinal hyperaesthesia were the most common clinical signs. Meningomyelitis of unknown aetiology and granulomatous meningomyelitis were the most common diagnoses. The median time to death or continued follow‐up in dogs alive at discharge was 213 days. Meningomyelitis resulted in death or euthanasia in 14 of 28 dogs. Clinical signs improved or resolved in seven of 28 dogs. Clinical Significance : Meningomyelitis is a differential diagnosis for dogs with clinical signs of myelopathy. Young dogs and toy or hound breeds seem to be predisposed. Clinical signs of meningomyelitis improve or resolve in some dogs.     

Treatment of Immune‐Mediated Hemolytic Anemia with Individually Adjusted Heparin Dosing in Dogs

Background: A major cause of death in dogs with immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is thromboembolism. Previous studies suggest unfractionated heparin (UH) is not effective in preventing thromboembolism in IMHA; however, subtherapeutic dosing could explain the seeming lack of efficacy. Hypothesis: Providing therapeutic plasma concentration of UH by individually adjusting doses based on antifactor Xa activity would improve survival in IMHA. Animals: Fifteen dogs with primary IMHA. Methods: Randomized, prospective, controlled clinical trial. Dogs received standardized therapy for IMHA and either constant dose (CD) (150 U/kg SC) (n = 7) or individually adjusted dose (IAD) (n = 8) UH, monitored via an anti‐Xa chromogenic assay, adjusted according to a nomogram. UH was administered every 6 hours until day 7, and every 8 hours thereafter. UH dose was adjusted daily in IAD dogs until day 7, weekly until day 28, then tapered over 1 week. Dogs were monitored for 180 days. Results: At day 180, 7 dogs in the IAD group and 1 in the CD group were alive (P= .01). Median survival time for the IAD group was >180 days, and 68 days for the CD group. Thromboembolic events occurred in 5 dogs in the CD group and 2 dogs in the IAD group. Doses of UH between 150 and 566 U/kg achieved therapeutic anti‐Xa activity (0.35–0.7 U/mL). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: This study suggests that IAD UH therapy using anti‐Xa monitoring reduced case fatality rate in dogs with IMHA when compared with dogs receiving fixed low dose UH therapy.     

A novel canine B‐cell leukaemia cell line. Establishment,characterisation and sensitivity to chemotherapeutics

We established a new B‐cell leukaemia cell line CLB70 from a dog with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. This cell line is positive for CD20, CD45, CD79a, MHC class II, IgG, IgM; weakly positive for CD21; and negative for CD3, CD4, CD5, CD8, CD14, CD34, CD117. PCR for antigen receptor gene rearrangement (PARR) analysis revealed a biclonal immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangement and negative result for TCRγ. Western blot analysis of anti‐ and pro‐apoptotic proteins showed increased expression of Bcl‐2, Mcl‐1, NF‐kB, and Ras, and decreased expression of p53. CLB70 cells grow rapidly in vitro and are tumourigenic in nude mice. The CLB70 line is highly sensitive to doxorubicin, less sensitive to etoposide and imatinib, and resistant to piroxicam, celecoxib and dexamethasone. Our results indicate that CLB70 cells are derived from mature B‐cells and they may be a useful tool for the development of new therapeutic strategies for both dogs and humans.     

Juvenile Pancreatic Atrophy in Greyhounds: 12 Cases (1995–2000)

Background: This study describes compound failure of the endocrine and exocrine pancreas in Greyhounds, a condition that has not been reported in the veterinary literature.
Objective: To describe the clinical and pathologic findings in 12 Greyhounds with juvenile pancreatic atrophy.
Animals: Ten Greyhounds presented for necropsy examination and 2 sibling Greyhounds presented for clinical evaluation before necropsy, all with a history of small-bowel diarrhea.
Procedures: Retrospective study of laboratory and pathologic findings in 12 Greyhounds, including serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity assays, oral glucose tolerance testing, and serum anti-insulin antibody concentrations.
Results: Gross pancreatic atrophy was found in all 12 dogs. Histopathologic lesions were found in both the endocrine and exocrine pancreas and included acinar cell apoptosis, zymogen granule loss, cytoplasmic clearing or vacuolar change, lobular atrophy, islet loss, and lymphocytic or lymphoplasmacytic pancreatitis. Antemortem test results on the 2 Greyhound puppies indicated concurrent exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Compound failure of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas is rarely reported in dogs and neither disease is well recognized in the Greyhound. This condition is of potential economic importance to the Greyhound racing industry.     

Cellular and humoral immune responses in atrophic lymphocytic pancreatitis in German shepherd dogs and rough-coated collies

The most common cause for the clinical signs of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in dogs is pancreatic acinar atrophy (PAA). In the subclinical phase of EPI, before total atrophy occurs, exocrine pancreas is affected by infiltrative lymphocytic inflammation, which gradually leads to selective destruction and atrophy of the acinar tissue.Here, we analyzed the role of cell-mediated and humoral immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of atrophic lymphocytic pancreatitis in German shepherd dogs and rough-coated collies. Pancreas biopsies and serum samples were obtained from 12 dogs with subclinical EPI (SEPI), 13 dogs with clinical EPI and 13 healthy control dogs.Immunohistochemical analysis showed that, in the subclinical phase, the majority of the infiltrating lymphocytes were T-cells with an almost equal number of CD4+ 'T-helper' and CD8+ 'cytotoxic' T-lymphocytes. The distribution of the two lymphocyte subsets was different. Typically, the CD4+ cells were present in large cellular infiltrates in the affected parenchyma, and the scattered CD8+ cells had infiltrated both the affected and the normal parenchyma. In sections where destruction of acinar parenchyma was present, the CD8+ T-cells were predominant. In cases of marked T-cell infiltration, CD79+ B-lymphocytes and plasma cells, and lysozyme-positive macrophages were also detected. Lymphoid follicle germinal centers with a majority of cells staining positively for CD79 were found. The lymphocytic infiltration in the totally atrophic tissue of dogs with clinical EPI was less prominent. Indirect immunofluorescence staining showed serum antibodies reacting weakly with pancreatic acinar cells in five out of nine dogs with subclinical and three out of 10 dogs with clinical EPI, but not in the control dogs.The results suggest that the tissue destruction is largely T-cell-mediated, although the presence of numerous B-lymphocytes and pancreas-specific antibodies in the sera of some dogs indicate that humoral mechanisms are also involved. In conclusion, this study suggests that the atrophic lymphocytic pancreatitis in German shepherds and rough-coated collies is an autoimmune disease.     

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for canine CD138 (syndecan‐1) for nuclear medicine preclinical trials on spontaneous tumours

We isolated 11 antibodies specific for canine CD138 (cCD138) to validate the interest of CD138 antigen targeting in dogs with spontaneous mammary carcinoma. The affinity of the monoclonal antibodies in the nanomolar range is suitable for immunohistochemistry and nuclear medicine applications. Four distinct epitopes were recognized on cCD138 by this panel of antibodies. CD138 expression in canine healthy tissues is comparable to that reported in humans. CD138 is frequently expressed in canine mammary carcinomas corresponding to the human triple negative breast cancer subtype, with cytoplasmic and membranous expression. In canine diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, CD138 expression is associated with the ‘non‐germinal center’ phenotype corresponding to the most aggressive subtype in humans. This homology of CD138 expression between dogs and humans confirms the relevance of tumour‐bearing dogs as spontaneous models for nuclear medicine applications, especially for the evaluation of new tumour targeting strategies for diagnosis by phenotypic imaging and radio‐immunotherapy.     

Model of chronic pancreatitis in the dog

A model of chronic pancreatitis was developed and characterized in the dog. Pancreatitis was produced by infusion of oleic acid through a cannula in the accessory pancreatic duct. Biochemical changes included early and marked increases in serum amylase and lipase activities which returned to base line within 3 weeks, at which time the dogs were clinically normal. In dogs euthanatized within 2 weeks, pathologic changes included massive necrosis and hemorrhage, cystic spaces filled with fluid, and abscesses. Histologic features revealed acute exudative pancreatitis with pancreatic atrophy and fibrosis. In dogs killed between weeks 3 to 12, changes included: marked atrophy with remaining acini surrounded by remnants consisting of collapsed stroma, blood vessels, and pancreatic ducts; marked coarse fibrosis with scattered inflammatory cells and occasional acinar tissue; and large irregular pseudocysts.     

Observational study of 14 cases of chronic pancreatitis in dogs

This study reports the clinical, clinicopathological and ultrasonographic findings from dogs with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Fourteen dogs with clinical signs consistent with CP and histological confirmation of the disease were evaluated. Abdominal ultrasound and clinical pathology results were recorded. Sensitivities of pancreatic enzymes for diagnosis of CP were calculated with two different cut-off values. The mean age of affected dogs was 9.1 years. Spaniels were the most common breed with CP, representing seven of the 14 dogs in this study. CP was histologically severe in nine cases. Most dogs showed chronic low-grade gastrointestinal signs and abdominal pain. Five dogs had exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and five dogs had diabetes mellitus. The sensitivity of elevated trypsin-like immunoreactivity for CP was 17 per cent. The sensitivities of canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, lipase and amylase for CP were 44 to 67 per cent or 14 to 28 per cent depending on the cut-off value used. Cholesterol was elevated in 58 per cent of samples. Liver enzymes were often elevated. The pancreas appeared abnormal on 56 per cent of ultrasound examinations. Ten dogs had died by the end of the study period; only one case was due to CP.     

Choledochotomy and primary repair of extrahepatic biliary duct rupture in seven dogs and two cats

Objective : To report clinical findings and outcome in dogs and cats undergoing choledochotomy or primary repair of extrahepatic biliary duct rupture. Methods : Retrospective study of dogs (n=7) and cats (n=2) that had choledochotomy or primary bile duct repair. Results : Extrahepatic biliary obstruction was confirmed at surgery in all cases. The underlying cause in four dogs and both cats was choledocholithiasis, two dogs had gall bladder mucocoeles with associated bile duct rupture, and one dog had inspissated bile obstructing the bile duct secondary to gall bladder carcinoid tumour. Three dogs and both cats had choledochotomies performed to relieve extrahepatic biliary obstruction, and four dogs with bile duct rupture underwent primary repair of the defect. One dog with a bile duct rupture was re‐explored four days postoperatively and had suffered dehiscence of the repair; this rupture was re‐repaired. All animals were discharged from the hospital, and did not have clinical recurrence of extrahepatic biliary obstruction. Clinical Significance : Choledochotomy and primary repair of extrahepatic biliary duct rupture were associated with low perioperative morbidity and no mortality in this small cohort of cases. These techniques are reasonable options either alone or in conjunction with other procedures when bile duct patency cannot be re‐established by catheterisation or bile duct discontinuity exists.     

Chronic Pancreatitis in Dogs

Chronic pancreatitis used to be considered uncommon in dogs, but recent pathological and clinical studies have confirmed that it is in fact a common and clinically significant disease. Clinical signs can vary from low-grade recurrent gastrointestinal signs to acute exacerbations that are indistinguishable from classical acute pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is a significant cause of chronic pain in dogs, which must not be underestimated. It also results in progressive impairment of endocrine and exocrine function and the eventual development of diabetes mellitus or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or both in some affected dogs at end stage. The etiology is unknown in most cases. Chronic pancreatitis shows an increased prevalence in certain breeds, and recent work in English Cocker Spaniels suggests it is part of a polysystemic immune-mediated disease in this breed. The histological and clinical appearance is different in different breeds, suggesting that etiologies may also be different. Diagnosis is challenging because the sensitivities of the available noninvasive tests are relatively low. However, with an increased index of suspicion, clinicians will recognize more cases that will allow them to institute supportive treatment to improve the quality of life of the patient.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—SPONTANEOUS INTRAMURAL CANINE DUODENAL HEMATOMA

A 9‐year‐old neutered female Pug with a 2‐week history of pancreatitis was presented for dyspnea, icterus, and intractable vomiting. Sonographically, the gallbladder, intrahepatic bile ducts, and common bile duct were distended. The pancreas was hypoechoic with hyperechoic peripancreatic fat. A mildly heterogeneous intramural mass was present in the muscularis layer of the descending duodenum. A presumptive diagnosis of pancreatitis and smooth muscle tumor of the duodenum leading to common bile duct obstruction was made. The dog died despite supportive care. Necropsy examination confirmed the presence of pancreatitis and an intramural duodenal hematoma.