Spontaneous Duodenal Ulcers in Dogs with Chronic Mild Icterus and Hepatitis

Abstract

We reported a method 1 for the plastic reconstruction of the common bile duct in which a viable tube was made from a flap of the pyloric mucosa. The tube was connected to either the gall bladder or the common duct, the gastric orifice of the tube being constructed to prevent regurgitation.

Seven dogs were kept to observe chronic effects. Of the 7, five (Dogs 1, 5, 7, 8, 9) have developed duodenal or gastric ulcers after 3 months. After 3 months all dogs showed an elevated icteric index, even though bile could be detected easily in the feces or gastric contents. On autopsy all dogs except one, which is still alive at 21 months, had varying degrees of biliary cirrhosis and hepatitis. Four of the 7 (Dogs 3, 4, 5, 9) developed ascites.

Very brief protocols of the 7 dogs will be given. Dog 1 died at 9 months from a perforated gastric ulcer and 2 duodenal ulcers. Dog 7 died at 5 1/2 months with a duodenal ulcer. Dog 8 died at 3 months from a perforated duodenal ulcer. Dog 4 developed ascites (5 liters) and died without an ulcer at 7 months. At this time the 3 remaining dogs were started on “gastric mucin” (30 gm. daily by mouth). Dog 3 at 7 months post-operatively had ascites but no ulcer when started on mucin. The ascites disappeared and the icteric index decreased from 5 to 3. This dog is now fat and well at 21 months and is still on gastric mucin. Dog 5 at 7 months had such a huge ascites that he could not stand. He had an ulcer as demonstrated by tarry stools. The ascites disappeared in one month after institution of mucin, the blood disappeared from the stools and the dog became fat.