Clinical Diagnostics of Hepatopathies in Small Mammals: Evaluation of Importance of Individual Methods

Hauptman, K. , F. Tich , Z. Knotek: Clinical Diagnostics of Hepatopathies in Small Mammals: Evaluation of Importance of Individual Methods. Acta Vet. Brno 2001, 70: 297-311. Until recently the possibilities of intravital diagnosis of liver function affection in small mammals have only been utilised to a minimum extent. The necessity of early hepatic disease diagnostics in these patients is highly topical. The presented paper summarises diagnostic procedures and will show the evaluation of their practical use in small mammals. Anamnestic data evaluation, palpation of the liver and collection of fluid from the abdominal cavity for the purpose of laboratory examination play an irreplaceable role in the diagnostics of liver diseases in small mammals. Biochemical blood indices analysis includes enzymes indicating hepatocellular damage (ALT, AST, LDH), cholestasis or enzymatic activity alteration (ALP, GGT), values monitoring the liver synthesis (albumin, glucose, urea, coagulation factors, bilirubin, bile acids, ammonium). Cytology and histology of biopsy specimens make it possible to evaluate the liver state precisely. In small mammals the size of a rabbit, ferret, adult guinea pig or rat utilisable methods for the liver biopsy include: fine needle aspiration biopsy, percutaneous biopsy, biopsy under the guidance of ultrasonography, biopsy under endoscopic or otoscopic guidance and biopsy during exploratory laparotomy. In patients the size of a hamster, Djungarian hamster or mouse the indication of these methods are questionable they can casuse serious hazards to the animals life. In spite of this, modifications of liver biopsy sampling are of conclusive importance in the diagnostics of hepathopathies in small mammals. In minute small mammals we can use a modification of the percutaneous biopsy using a key-hole technique and biopsy during laparotomy. Rabbit, ferret, rodents, liver biopsy, ascites, endoscopy Veterinary medicine deals with questions of the diagnostics of hepatopathies traditionally in large farm animals as well as small domestic ones (House 1992; Carl ton and McGavin 1995). It is also the group of small mammals which are relatively frequently affected by various forms of liver disease (Meredi th and Rayment 2000). There are primary liver parenchyma affections as well as secondary hepatopathies caused by metabolic disorders, enteropathies, intoxication, nephropathies or some other systemic changes in these animals. Differentiation of primary and secondary liver parenchyma affections is very difficult and in many cases practically impossible (Dial 1995). The diagnostics of liver damage in small mammals is much more complicated than in dogs and cats. Difficulty in handling the patients is one of the reasons. They are often semi-wild and the examining surgeon is in danger of being hurt. That is why thorough examination most of small mammal patients require sedation which, however, may be an exacerbating factor. The size of the patient presents another limitation due to complications of both the basic clinical examination and the use of some diagnostic imaging methods (radiographic and ultrasound). The body weight and size also influence the volume of blood samples (it is possible to collect blood volume representing 0.5% of the body weight without major problems). It is particularly necessary to consider the financial aspect, because the cost of ACTA VET. BRNO 2001, 70: 297–311 Address for correspondence: MVDr. K. Hauptmann 1Small Animal Clinic,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno Palackeho 1-3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic Phone: +420 5 4156 2382 Fax: +420 5 4156 2382 E-mail: hauptmank@vfu.cz http://www.vfu.cz/acta-vet/actavet.htm