Hearing the phrase “gallbladder mucocele in dogs” as your sweet pup’s diagnosis may leave you feeling a bit unsure of what this means for him or her. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby explains the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and outlook for a gallbladder mucocele in dogs. Armed with this information you will better be able to help and support your dog.
Bijou the Sheltie is notoriously a bit of a picky eater. He was one of the few puppies I’ve met that turned up his nose at the squeeze cheese I often offer to distract from vaccines. I mean, what dog doesn’t like bright orange processed goo? Bijou. That’s who. Over the last six years he’s occasionally skipped a meal here and there. His owner and I kept track of his dental health to make sure that wasn’t an issue, and we ran yearly bloodwork. He had always been the picture of health.
But then something changed. Bijou went from picky to downright not eating. He became lethargic. He started vomiting. His dad knew something was wrong, and brought him to me right away.
Bijou has always been a little standoffish with me—maybe he never forgave me for assuming he’d like squeeze cheese. But this time he barely acknowledged my existence. He let me do a full exam without much resistance, save for a little wince when I palpated his belly. Something was very not right.
Getting to the root of Bijou’s problem
Unfortunately in dogs, lethargy, vomiting, and inappetence are somewhat nonspecific. I couldn’t tell just by looking at him what was troubling Bijou, though I thought I could see a little yellow tinge in the white of his eyes. But maybe it was the lighting in the exam room. I knew we needed to do some diagnostics.
I started by taking X-rays. Maybe he’d eaten something he shouldn’t have? He wasn’t the most trustworthy dog when his dad was at work. X-rays looked clear—nothing was obviously wrong in his abdomen. We ran some bloodwork and that’s when my level of concern raised significantly. Bijou’s liver values were through the roof. Apparently, I wasn’t imagining the yellowing of his eyes—he really was jaundiced.
The next step was an ultrasound because I knew something was going on with his liver, and I hadn’t seen an obvious problem like a tumor on X-rays. As it turned out, his liver looked ok on ultrasound. However, his gallbladder looked like a sliced kiwi when it should be a clear black circle. This odd appearance to the gallbladder meant Bijou had a gallbladder mucocele.
What is a gallbladder mucocele?
You may have heard about people having gallbladder issues (or suffered some yourself). But did you know dogs also have gallbladders? The gallbladder is like a little balloon tucked up in between liver lobes.
The liver produces bile from bile acids, bile salts, water, cholesterol, and other components. Bile flows from the liver through bile ducts into the gallbladder where it is stored. Then the larger common bile duct takes bile from the gallbladder into the intestines to aid in the digestion and excretion of toxins.
Normally bile is a thin liquid. However, in some dogs, the consistency of bile inside the gallbladder becomes thicker due to an accumulation of mucous. As a result, a canine gallbladder mucocele forms. The mucous-laden biliary sludge can become too thick to travel through the common bile duct. This causes the gallbladder to become distended and potentially obstructed, unable to empty. Gallbladder obstruction can make a patient very sick, just like Bijou.
What causes a gallbladder mucocele in dogs?
Let’s back up for a minute to see how a gallbladder mucocele happens. There is still so much that veterinarians and researchers don’t fully understand about gallbladder mucoceles, but here is what they have learned so far.
If the gallbladder isn’t appropriately contracting to send bile to the intestines, bile acids build up inside it. This can cause inflammation of the gallbladder wall, which in turn increases mucous production, compounding the problem. The more mucous that builds up, the thicker the bile becomes, and the greater the chance of obstruction.
There is a presumed genetic component that predisposes some dogs to develop gallbladder mucoceles. They are more commonly diagnosed in Shetland Sheepdogs, Miniature Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, and Dachshunds.
Additionally, certain metabolic disorders can increase the chance of a dog developing a gallbladder mucocele. Pups with Cushing’s disease in dogs are 29 times more likely to develop a mucocele. Diabetes and hypothyroidism in dogs also increase the likelihood of a gallbladder mucocele. These conditions may alter the way fat is metabolized, and make it more difficult for the gallbladder to contract to release bile.
What are the symptoms?
Just like we saw with Bijou, usually dogs with gallbladder mucoceles are pretty sick. Clinical signs can include:
- Vomiting
- A lethargic dog
- Decreased appetite
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes, gums, or skin)
- Painful abdomen
- Fever
Not all dogs with mucoceles have all of these symptoms, and all of these symptoms can be associated with other diseases. For this reason, It is very important to seek veterinary care immediately if your dog is showing any of these signs.
How is a gallbladder mucocele diagnosed?
Your vet will start with a physical exam to assess for jaundice, abdominal pain, fever, or other abnormalities. Next, he or she will probably consider further diagnostics like bloodwork.
Usually the bloodwork involves a complete blood count, which assesses white and red blood cell numbers and platelet numbers. The vet will also run a chemistry panel, which looks for signs of kidney disease, liver disease in dogs, diabetes mellitus, electrolyte imbalances, and other conditions. Dogs with a gallbladder mucocele tend to have elevations in their liver values, much like my canine patient did.
If your vet suspects a gallbladder mucocele or other problem with the internal organs, he or she will probably recommend an abdominal ultrasound. This test allows the vet to assess the liver, contents of the gallbladder, and other abdominal organs. Typically, a normal gallbladder should be a black circle on ultrasound. However, if it looks like a sliced kiwi due to mucous accumulation, the dog probably has a gallbladder mucocele.
What is the treatment for a gallbladder mucocele?
In some milder cases, medical management can be successful. Your vet may recommend starting your dog on ursodiol, a medication that can sometimes improve the flow of bile out of the gallbladder. However, vets typically only try it for dogs who have not yet become extremely ill from the mucocele. A low-fat diet may also be beneficial. Generally speaking, medical management is usually reserved for dogs who are incidentally diagnosed with a gallbladder mucocele and are not clinically ill from it yet.
However, the best course of action for dogs who are showing symptoms at the time of diagnosis is emergency surgery to remove the gallbladder (i.e. cholecystectomy). If a mucocele is causing biliary obstruction, the risk is that if not removed, it may lead to gallbladder rupture. Gallbladder rupture can make the dog even sicker and is potentially fatal.
Gallbladder removal surgery
Gallbladder removal surgery is often rather involved. Your veterinarian may refer you to a specialty hospital for intensive care and the surgery. In addition to removing the gallbladder, the surgeon may take a sample of the liver or bile to send off for bacterial culture. The information gleaned from this may guide treatment and which antibiotics are more likely to be successful in battling infection.
Sometimes during surgery bile can leak into the abdomen. Alternatively, it may already have been present if there was a gallbladder rupture prior to surgery. Bile is very irritating and this can lead to an inflammatory condition called peritonitis. If this happens, the dog may need abdominal drains placed to manage peritonitis after surgery.
What is the prognosis for dogs with a gallbladder mucocele?
Unfortunately, gallbladder mucoceles do not always lead to a happy outcome. The mortality rate (i.e. death rate) for dogs undergoing gallbladder removal surgery for this condition can be as high as 20-25%. However, if surgery is successful, dogs can have a normal life expectancy. The earlier in the condition the dog has surgery, the higher the likelihood of a successful outcome.
The good news is that the gallbladder is not an essential organ so dogs can do fine without it. As mentioned earlier, the function of the gallbladder is to store bile. So after gallbladder removal, the bile just travels directly from the liver to the intestines as the liver produces it. Some dogs may require a special diet or lifelong medication, but their prognosis after surgery is good overall.
The veterinarian will closely monitor dogs undergoing medical treatment for a gallbladder mucocele. This will likely involve routine bloodwork and ultrasounds to ensure that the gallbladder does not become obstructed. If the dog does end up having a gallbladder blockage, there is a risk the gallbladder could rupture and/or the dog could need a cholecystectomy.
If you are interested in learning more about the outlook for the two options, a 2019 article in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine compared the long-term survival of dogs treated for gallbladder mucocele by cholecystectomy, medical management, or both. The researchers determined that while surgery is the treatment of choice, medical management can be a good option for some dogs.
Back to Bijou
Despite being very sick when he was first diagnosed, Bijou is alive and well today. His dad took him to our local specialty hospital where a board-certified veterinary surgeon removed his gallbladder. Thankfully, it had not yet ruptured and his surgery was otherwise routine.
I recheck Bijou’s bloodwork every few months, keep him on a low fat diet, and he’s back to his old self.
If your dog isn’t feeling good, the best thing you can do for him or her is to head to the veterinarian. The sooner you get a diagnosis—be it a gallbladder mucocele or something else—the sooner you can start treatment and hopefully get your pup feeling better again.
I understand it can be scary and confusing sometimes to navigate health issues with a beloved furry family member, but just take it one step at a time. You and your veterinarian both have your dog’s best interests in mind. Work closely with your vet, and follow his or her recommendations.
Have you had a dog with a gallbladder mucocele?
Please share his or her story and any words of advice for other dog parents.
In March 2024 , my 12 year old , 13 pound, Yorkie Mix was diagnosed with a mucocele. The speciality emergency hospital did a full work up and estimated the cost of gallbladder removal surgery+ all the medications, labs, 48-72 hour hospitalization and everything else- was estimated to be $15,000 $22,000.
This is in the Seattle area.
I was shocked at how expensive this was and just wonder if this is the average price or did this hospital just have extremely inflated pricing?
Hi Molly,
I am sorry you were dealt with this terrible situation with your senior pup. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the average pricing for this procedure in different areas. I can say that for a major surgery and 3 days of ICU follow up care, this seems reasonable. I know it is expensive and that is why pet insurance is becoming more popular and necessary. I am thankful that veterinary medicine is able to offer services and products comparable to human medicine but at a tenth of the cost. I hope you were able to get your dog the care they needed. Thank you for bringing up this important topic!
I had an 11-year old beagle who had to have emergency surgery for a mucocele. The surgeon quoted $12,000 for the procedure, which was really difficult, but he had a record of almost perfect survival rates, so I decided to do it. Diesel lived a perfectly healthy life for another four years afterwards, and it was the best money I ever spent ❤️
Hi Lisa,
That is amazing! What a blessing you gained 4 extra years with your beloved Diesel. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I am certain this will offer hope to others. Bless you!
Dr Buzby,
On an out of state Thanksgiving visit, Nov, 2023, my sweet baby, Howie, started vomiting and then hemorrhaging blood from his anus, We rushed him to the only open animal ER we could find.on a holiday. They did an ultrasound, and said he had an 11cm spleen.
However, when we returned home and took him to our vet, he did a couple of ultrasounds, and the enlarged organ was actually the gallbladder. He said the gallbladder is not sending the bile from his liver to his intestines.
The vet said due to his age, now pushing 14, his chance of survival from gallbladder surgery is very low.
He has been on Demnamarin and Ursodiol for several months now, and basically seemed like his normal, elderly self— until the past week or so.
Now he has started just laying around, acts like he can’t really take even short walks, and additionally, for many months, has been drinking tons of water and urinates more. He also pants a lot, and past two days his appetite is low. My feeling is his condition is getting worse.
My questions to you:
—is the panting most likely a reaction to pain?
—I’m assuming as large as the gallbladder is, based on ultrasounds, it is continuing to expand, correct?
—How large can it get before bursting?
— How fast might that happen ( small tears become slowly larger, or one big burst?)
— Obviously the only option is to put him to “sleep”, but how do I know when? This decision is killing me. I love him like a child.
Thank you!!!Thank you so much for your advice. ❤️
Cindy from Denver, Colorado
Dear Cindy,
My heart aches for you as you face this difficult situation with Howie. Unfortunately, there is just no way to know when the gallbladder will rupture or how large it will get before this happens. I do suspect the panting is due to pain or discomfort and yes, his condition will continue to deteriorate. Saying goodbye is hard and I often tell readers there may be no specific “time” that is right. I would rather let go one day too early than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. It is ok to say goodbye before all joy is lost and then only thing that remains is pain. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. Praying for strength and clarity as you navigate this emotional path. Bless you and your sweet boy.
1. When to Euthanize A Dog With Liver Failure: A Vet’s Advice
2. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
3. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Hello!
My 16 year old jack Russell started vomiting last week so was taken to the vet who examined her and couldn’t find any particular cause so gave her some anti nausea pills as we just thought she had over eaten or eaten something off. 3 days after that she had stopped eating & drinking and had no energy. She was taken to emergency care where they showed her yellow eyes, blood work showed extremely high liver count levels and they also did an ultrasound to show what they think is a gallbladder mucocele, they kept her in overnight on a drip and said they can’t see her living over a week, even on a drip, as there is a chance of the gallbladder rupturing. She came home to be more comfortable with antibiotics, appetite stimulants, anti-nausea tablets, a liver protectant and a fentanyl patch for pain. She slowly began to improve once home and has been eating and drinking by herself, she has had her fentanyl patch replaced once and is running around, barking and being her cheeky self. Another vet we saw said we should put her down as it isn’t fair for her to be in pain. I obviously don’t want her to be in pain but it’s so hard to put a dog down who still has so much life despite what’s going on internally. Is it possible that these medications have helped her improve and she can go back to living a normal life? We will be going back to the vet in 2 days to get more medications however I feel the vet is just going to suggest putting her down again. Surgery was not recommended due to her age.
Thank you
Dear Beth,
I am sorry your senior girl is dealing with this complicated situation. I would suspect the medications have improved her body function a bit allowing her symptoms to improve, but this definitely will not be a cure. I agree that while her days may be numbered, it could be ok to give her more time if she is feeling well and in good spirits. Trust your intuition as you know your girl better than anyone. Make the most of the time you are gifted and find joy in each day. Wishing you and your sweet girl all the best and praying for comfort and peace.
My 12 and half year SAheltie who has had bladder, kidney and heart issues now has a gallstone and an inflamed gallbladder. I am not sure what I can do to help her. Does anyone have any advice for what diet I can give her? She is very wee, though she weighs a wee bit more than she should at roughly 8 kgs, but I have no idea what I should feed her, how much or how often. given her various health issues. I’m waiting on blood results for her liver and I will be asking our vet if there is any medication that can help. She isn’t showing any symptoms though she did have a partly runny stool today. She is eating and drinking fine. I would appreciate any advice, thank you.
Hi Kim,
I am sorry your Sheltie is dealing with so many issues at once. I think it is great you are trying to ensure she is eating a healthy diet. Nutrition is a vital part of health and the healing process for our bodies. Unfortunately, without playing a personal role in her medical care it is hard to make specific recommendations. I encourage you to ask your vet about what food is best when you have your discussion about blood work results and medications. They should be able to point you in the right direction. Hoping your girl can maintain her quality of life and wishing you both many happy days ahead.
My dog Willie had his partially ruptured gallbladder removed on Monday Aug. 12, 2024. He did relatively well until today Fri Aug 16, when we were told he has a bile leak. I think the only way to fix it is surgically. We’re waiting to hear from the vet again. We don’t want him to have to go through another surgery and his platelets are low. I’m wondering if the leaks can be fixed laparoscopically.
Hi Wendy,
I am sorry Willie has been through so much in the last few weeks. I understand your concern and wish I had better answers. While laparoscopic surgery may be an option, not all facilities are equipped to perform that type of procedure. What did you decide to do? How are things today? Hoping all is well and praying your vet was able to restore Willie’s health and well-being. Feel free to leave an update and let us know how he is doing. Bless you and your sweet boy. ♥
Our dog Winston had his gallbladder removed 15 days ago. I am still so nervous for his recovery. I can’t always tel how he’s doing. How do we know when we’re in the clear? His follow up appointment is still being scheduled? We took him to a wonderful but busy specialty hospital with some of the best in the country. The problem is getting back in to make sure everything is okay. Any advice? I’m terrified that I’ll miss something and lose him.
Hi Kim,
I understand your concern for Winston as he recovers from this major surgery. He is a lucky boy to have you taking such good care of him and watching him so closely. As long as Winston is eating, drinking, using the bathroom normally, and has the energy and desire to do his normal daily activities then I would assume he is ok. It sounds like everything is going well and you are doing a great job. Even if you have to wait for his follow up appointment, you can always call the vet with any questions or concerns. Hoping for continued success and wishing your sweet boy all the best at making a full recovery.
My girl, Juliana, 10 years old, skipped dinner one night, which is unusual for her. She was restless all night, drinking a lot of water, and continuously trying unsuccessfully to relieve herself. She threw up a small amount of bile, which I attributed to her not eating. I took her to the vet, and the vet expressed Juliana’s anal glands. I knew pretty quickly this was not the solution. Juliana was reluctant to walk, couldn’t get on the couch, wouldn’t eat, was most comfortable hiding under the bed, and wouldn’t really make eye contact with me. I told friends that I felt like I had a “zombie dog.” I was hoping the vet had been correct and maybe she was traumatized by the procedure, but two days later, I could tell she was still suffering so much, so I took her back to the vet. I got a different vet at the same office. First, she thought it was a back issue. When she could tell that wasn’t it, she ran a blood panel, and we found that her liver numbers were out of control. We did an ultrasound, and the vet determined it was a mucocele, along with fluid in her abdomen, and that an urgent decision needed to be made to do surgery, try antibiotics (and pray her gallbladder didn’t burst in the meantime), or put my baby girl to rest. It felt like she had been so miserable for so long, I decided to end her pain. This was on July 15th, and I think daily about how far along in her recovery we would be if I had done the surgery. I have struggled with doubt and guilt about this, but I knew my girl, and I believe it is the decision she would’ve made for herself if she could.
Dear Andrea,
My heart goes out to you as you grieve the loss of your beloved pup. You made a loving choice to spare her from unnecessary suffering and pain. That is not something you should feel any guilt about (I know that is easier said than done ♥). I am glad you trusted your intuition and agree you knew Juliana better than anyone. Thank you for being willing to share your story with us. It may be exactly what someone else needs to hear to have the courage to face a similar situation. May her memory live on and continue to be a blessing in your life. Wishing you comfort and peace for your heart.
Andrea
I went through almost this same scenario this past weekend. my 15 year-old Gussie (Shi Zu mix) started throwing up Thurs late morning; Friday Emergency Vet for testing and diagnosis with answers about midnight; Saturday said goodbye. It was so out of the blue and hard to process.
Dear Lisa,
I am so sorry for the loss of your senior girl, Gussie. May her memory be a blessing in your life. ♥
Hello, My 8 yr old choc lab cocker spaniel mix, Charlie, was just diagnosed with the mucus in his gallbladder. It started with elevated liver test, then came the xray that showed an enlarged liver, that lead to the ultrasound. He had it yesterday and the doctor was on the phone before I even got home. Vet said luckily we caught it early and she prescribes a medication and Denamarin. She said we will need to do another ultrasound in a month. Is this curable? Is it going to go away or will it get worse? I have to be honest, I live on a very fixed income so the cost of surgery scares the crap out of me. I don’t want my baby in pain or anything and if need be I will find away. I just want to know if with these meds it will go away so I have an idea. Thank you
Hi Dorrie,
I am sorry Charlie has received this difficult diagnosis. I am glad he seems to be feeling ok for now and you were able to get treatment started. The medication should be able to keep things under control, but I would not expect it to offer a “cure”. Some dogs do well with medical management and do not need to move forward with surgery. My best advice would be to start now and set aside what money you can each month to try and start a fund for surgery should it ever be needed in the future. Wishing your sweet boy all the best and praying for many happy years ahead.
I am so glad I found your article. This is the first time I fully understand what’s happening to my 10 year old male Sheltie. My heart. Today is Saturday July 6th. Last Saturday at 4 a.m. he threw up. (He was his normal happy seems like a puppy still on Friday) I cleaned up his vomit and went back to bed. At 10 a.m. he threw up white foamy smal quantity. My first thought, dogs get tummy bugs. But also, my guy doesn’t get into things that he’s not supposed to. You could leave a sandwich his height on the coffee table leave the room and it would still be there even though he’s licking his lips staring at it. My last Sheltie would have swiped it the second I turned my back. So something about him being unwell made me think, I just need to know. The vet palpated and there was pain in the tummy and xrays were performed as well as blood work. Of course the next day was a Sunday so we had to wait. His liver enzymes were elevated quite high. We had an ultra sound performed on Thursday (waiting for a Tech) it was Canada Day (July 1st) and Independence Day July 4th. All vets very busy or not even open. After the Ultra sound it was obvious it was GBM. We were given Gabapentin for pain, Liver Supplements and broad spectrum antibiotics. My boy, Pride and Prejudice Mr. “Darcy” was given sub q fluids and a shot of narcotics for pain. We also were given sensitive gut wet food and a recipe to add one can of wet with one can of water in a blender so we could force feed him with a large syringe. He won’t eat. Spent all Friday July 5th looking for a surgeon who could perform the surgery of removing his gallbladder. No one until Tues July 8, we pleaded and got Monday July 7 at 8 a.m. it started on June 29! I hope he doesn’t perforate over the weekend. I don’t even know what to look for. And now to read the surgery is rough. I know he can’t continue on as he is but there’s a chance he’ll die bc of surgical complications. Pls hope for a good outcome for us. Since starting his supplements and antibiotics his yellow skin on his belly is almost all gone. Hope this is a positive sign.
Dear Shannon,
My heart goes out to you as you face this worrisome situation with Darcy. I can only imagine how scared and emotional you must be. How did the surgery go yesterday? Praying he was able to make it through with no complications and is on the road to recovery. Wishing you both nothing but the best. Feel free to keep us updated on how things are going. Bless you and your sweet boy. ♥
My 12 year old BichPoo , Cinnamon, has had elevated ALP levels since 4/19/20. They did an ultrasound on 4/16/21 but said that didn’t show anything. They started her on Denamarin that day. Her ALP levels kept rising so 5/17/22 they added Ursodiol.. In 2023 her ALP was 2700 they said I could probably get another ultrasound but I was just starting Chemo myself and could not get her one. Cinnamon was having trouble lifting her front legs the other day so I paid for a same day appointment. They did an in-house blood test and it showed ALP >2000. They had me take her to a specialty hospital for an ultrasound on 6/25/24. The ultrasound report showed a moderate accumulation of hyperechoic sediment within the center of the gallbladder lumen with a stellate pattern. There is moderate mucus accumulation around the peripheral lumen. The discharge papers said to discuss follow up with pDVM or internal medicine to discuss testing for Cushing’s and management of mucocele and/or surgery to discuss cholecystectomy. They said they were sending the report to my pDVM. I waited 2 1/2 days to hear from my vet but didn’t hear from her so I sent a message asking what order should we be working on the Cushing’s or gall bladder. She knew I was scheduled for more cancer surgery soon and that I wanted to make sure my dog would get her treatment first. Another 2 1/2 days pass and still no contact so I sent another message that I didn’t find this acceptable. She had another Vet in the office call to me that what I said was inappropriate because she had called the specialty hospital because she thought something wasn’t in the report. I told her she should have at least talked to me but she didn’t think she had to get back to me. Needless to say I now have to find my girl a new vet and make appointments in between my upcoming surgery and upcoming lung biopsy.
Dear Mary,
I am sorry Cinnamon is facing this worrisome problem with her gallbladder while you are dealing with your own medical issues. I understand your concern and think it is good you are staying on top of this situation. It is a shame that you have had so much miscommunication with your vet. I agree it may be best to have your girl established as a patient at a different location. You need to feel confident with the medical care you are receiving. Not every hospital is the perfect fit for every client. I do think your vet had the best intentions and if there was an error in the paperwork sent from the specialist, it could definitely lead to problems. Hoping you can find a new vet quickly and ensure Cinnamon gets the attention she needs. Wishing you all the best on your upcoming procedures and praying for a positive outcome for you and your sweet girl. ♥
Hi, my 13 yr old chihuahua had his gallbladder taken out last February. He has been fine since really but suddenly yesterday was sick 5 times yellow bile. We’ve had bloods done and they’ve come back saying the liver levels are slightly raised which is to be normal as he has no gallbladder. Bilirubin levels are normal so it all seems very odd? He was given anti sickness injection and so far has kept the food down but I am definitely concerned as to why he was sick so much bile in such a short amount of time.
Hi Beth,
I understand your concern for your little guy with these recent episodes of GI upset. It is possible for the liver to become inflamed or have an acute injury even if there is no gallbladder. I am glad you acted quickly to have him evaluated by your vet. They may decide to do some in-depth testing such as abdominal ultrasound to get more answers. Hoping with treatment the liver will heal and return to normal function. Wishing you all the best of luck and praying for complete recovery for your sweet boy.
Hey thank you for your reply, he hasn’t been sick since that epsisode and we had the blood results back. The vet said his liver levels are slightly raised but they have come down dramatically since the last bloods 8 months ago. She said they weren’t raised to a concerning level and it is quite normal for them to be raised as he has no gallbladder. His Biliruben levels were ok too. All seems so strange as he was very sick so quickly. We are going away next week so praying he stays ok!
Hi Beth,
I am glad your boy hasn’t continued to have any issues since that last episode. Maybe he just had a stomach virus or some GI inflammation. Hoping everything will remain stable while you are out of town. Best wishes and good luck!
my dog is over 15 years old. she got very sick with gallbladder sludge last year, stopped eating. I thought she was too weak to have surgery and was afraid she would die in surgery so I opted not to have the gold ballader removed. I did home IV treatments cooked her food blended it and syringed it to her since ishe was no longer eating.. she also didn’t drink water for almost a year and I would blend okay now and sweet potato chicken water carrots and apples. I made it very watery so she would have liquid. today she drinks lots of water she’s on half Kibbles and half chicken. she is almost 15 and a half now. I’m petrified to have her go under anesthesia as I’m afraid she would die in surgery. she has slowed down a bit but her health is well at this moment.
Hi Maria,
I am sorry your senior girl has been dealing with gallbladder disease for so many months. It sounds like you are doing everything you can to help maintain her health. Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers. Wishing you continued success and praying for many happy days ahead.
I have a 16 year old chihuahua, Ellie, who was diagnosed with gallbladder mucocele last year after blood work came back with high levels of aldaline phosphatase and others. Ursodiol has not worked for the past year apparently because her levels are now much higher. The only symptoms she displays and slowing down eating. Otherwise she is still a healthy playful pup!…always twilling her squirrel in the air and fetching her toys for treats! The vet wants to do another ultrasound. ($500) to confirm the mucocele and make sure there is nothing else contributing to her levels. Cholesystectomy would be around $4000.00. I don’t want see a slow decline with her let alone wait for it to burst and her final moments be excrutiating pain. If I knew she could survive a surgery, heal without complication and maybe she could live another few years, I would do it! I would love to hear comments and suggestions. Thank you!
Hi Jon,
I am sorry Ellie is having these worrisome issues with her gallbladder. While removing the gallbladder is risky, it is definitely possible for the surgery to be successful and offer her an improved quality of life. I understand your concern and see why you are conflicted about how to proceed. Hoping you can find the advice you need to navigate this difficult path. Wishing you all the best and praying for a positive outcome for your sweet girl.
My little cricket was diagnosed with a sludgy gallbladder a year ago (at age 13) she was prescribed ursidiol. She was doing great, then got sick real quick and spent a week in the hospital with a blockage from a developing mucocele. She escaped emergency surgery because her liver enzymes started to improve. Five weeks have passed and she is doing wonderful but I’m having her gallbladder removed next Thursday while she is feeling healthy. I think this gives her the best chance at a longer life because it’s a ticking time bomb if you wait…..she could get a blockage or ruptured gallbladder literally at any moment. When they are symptomatic the surgery outcome is basically a coin flip, otherwise, when they are feeling good it’s as low as 5% mortality rate. I’m fortunate to have an awesome emergency/internal medicine outfit where I live….its the best I’ve ever seen. I just hope she stays healthy for a few more days and surgery goes well. Hoping this can help someone in the same situation…….dogs are very special and it’s a tough decision but I feel I’m making the best choice for cricket.
Hi Nate,
I am sorry Cricket is having issues with her gallbladder. What a blessing she was able to stabilize and improve enough to pursue surgery with a much lower risk. Thank you for sharing your experience as I am certain this will offer hope to others. Praying all goes smoothly and wishing your girl the best of luck at a full recovery. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance and let us know how Cricket is doing.
Our 6 y.o. Coton de Tulear had emergency gallbladder removal for mucocele on 4/25/24. He had normal blood work in August of 2023 but on 4/17/24, after behaving quite normally and eating his usual dinner, he suddenly vomited up 5 puddles of food and liquid and then became lethargic. We had dealt with minor tummy upsets when he was younger so removed his water and waited 12 hours to see if the vomiting recurred. He kept down water and several small meals of canned boiled chicken in broth the next day, However on 04/19 he refused food, went out for his potty walk and promptly vomited up foamy bile and food from the previous day. Off to our regular vet we went. Blood work showed elevated liver enzymes, and radiography showed no obstructions but questionable gallbladder appearance. He got a shot of Cerenia and scrips for Clavacillin and Denamarin along with canned GI/lowfat prescription food. He seemed to get better everyday until the evening of 4/24 when he started panting, pacing, and licking his lips. He could not get comfortable, so I took him back to the vet the morning of 4/25. Liver enzymes were now through the roof, so she sent us to the earliest available pet ER. After ultrasound the vet there told us he had a mucocele that had not ruptured but likely would soon. He explained the risks of the surgery and said he would take the chance with a younger otherwise healthy dog, so we did.
Our fella sailed through the surgery and came home the next day. We are on day 9 of his 14 day recovery, and he is healing nicely. We have a ramp for our steps, and one of us sleeps on the floor near him at night. He wears an inflatable donut cone during the day and a flexible e-collar overnight. He is being a very good boy.They sent off tissue for liver biopsy and also had his gallbladder checked. No neoplasms, but the gallbladder was so close to rupture. We are thankful for a skilled surgeon, ICU care overnight, and a good ultrasound tech. We are hopeful for his complete recovery from this problem that we had no idea existed.,
Hi Kay,
Goodness, what a scary series of events you have been through over the last couple months. I am glad the surgery was a success and your boy seems to be healing well. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I am sure this happy story will offer others hope when facing a similar situation. Hoping your pup has made a full recovery and is living his best life. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Bless you!
I lost my 13 yr old Maltipoo to this in Oct of 2022. She suddenly started throwing up, no other symptoms. I immediately got her in to my vet. We’re very rural, so they’re not a 24 hr hospital, and don’t have a lot of fancy equipment. My vet ran tests, Abby’s liver enzymes were way too high. She wanted to keep her. She said the next day she wanted to find someone to do a sonogram on her, but again, small towns, and not many vets do this. So finally late that night, she suggested we drive down to U of I, where they have an animal hospital, because they’re teaching veterinary. We took the drive, only to find out nobody was there on the weekends to do sonograms. We left a few thousand dollar fee for her to stay and drove the couple hours home. No more got home and the vet down there called, telling us Abby was very very ill. They gave her an IV because she was dehydrated and her belly started swelling. Using a needle, she extracted some to see what it was. Blood. She called in someone to do emergency sonogram. She told us, Abby had a huge waxy substance at her gallbladder. She’d never seen anything so large. She said Abby was so ill, it was her opinion surgery would never give the OK to do surgery, and even if they did, we were looking at $10k-15k. Plus, in her opinion, Abby would never make it. I’m the dog person. I’m the one who always wants dogs, my husband says, yes dear. Abby was definitely my girl. This was the most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make. It still breaks my heart. I didn’t want to say bye to my Abby girl, but it was best for her. This muco whatever it’s called, is devastating.
Dear Theresa,
My heart aches for you with your tragic loss of Abby. I can only imagine how emotional it must have been to make the decision to say goodbye but feel certain it was the most loving option. Thank you for being willing to share your story with us. It offers comfort to others to know they are not alone while navigating this tough path. I hope as the years have passed your heart is beginning to heal. May Abby’s memory stay with you always and continue to be a blessing in your life.
I’m so sorry to hear about your Abby. I am going through similar with my dog, except we know what’s wrong – gallbladder sludge – but they haven’t offered surgery as an option, instead just giving her medicine to clear it up (which I’m reading will lead us exactly to what you went through). AND we seem to be in the exact same geographical area. We drive down to Peoria for better vetting. They’re taking her spleen soon due to a mass – I’m going to ask why not just take the gallbladder at the same time. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Dear Anita,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with your pup. Praying for clarity as you make some tough decisions over the next few weeks. Bless you and your sweet girl.
My 13yr old mixed breed was suddenly vomiting, lethargic, and not eating and was diagnosed with Gallbladder Mucocele using ultrasound and the recommendation was cholecystectomy and splenectomy (nodule on spleen). My dog Pax is now 8 days post surgery now and he has had a slow recovery, 6.5 days in the hospital, and today stopped eating and it’s a fight to try and get his medications into him. I am beginning to lose hope he’s going to make it through.
I wanted to provide some info on actual costs, based on my experience in South Florida because information on the internet is woefully wrong or So FL is outrageously more expensive. I am not happy about initial estimates from the ER hospital given at the outset, but had I known the cost I’ve have sustained so far 8 days in, I would not have done the surgery due to our being retired and fixed income and would have had my sweet boy euthanized.
At this point, he was discharged on after 6 days and now is day 8 post surgery. He had eaten and seemed better spirited on day 7, but now is no longer eating and it is a wrestling match to try and get his oral medication into him, which is 14 prescriptions.
Diagnosis cost: $2803
Surgery and post surgery care for 6.5 days: $20571.
Total cost to date: $23375.
The initial surgery estimate was $10K to $13K, required an $11k deposit, which I agreed to because just 9 days prior we had to euthanize our other dog for a ruptured mass in her spleen, so I was sensitive to putting another dog down in less than 2 week and I didn’t realize how difficult this surgery is for dogs. I received an additional cost estimate via email while Pax was still not even awake from surgery and additional estimates came every other day in the amounts of $2 to $3 thousand each, requiring approx. 90% deposit, and a final bill settlement at discharge of an additional $4500. I have no issue with the quality of medical service and care, but I feel something is lacking in the cost estimating process when you are ultimately off by nearly 2x and are providing cost increase estimates via email while the dog is still under anesthesia and the surgeon is telling you they finished and accomplished what the set out to do.
I don’t wish this on anyone and I am devastated by our two sweet elder dogs coming down with life ending/threatening conditions within 10 days of each other, but I do wish I had a realistic explanation of how high the costs could go from the outset as I was completely helpless and felt like I already spent so much money, I have to follow thru. But now I am feeling even worse as I lose hope about the eventual outcome or potential additional costs to take him back to the same ER.
Dear Mark,
I am sorry Pax has been through so much in the last few weeks. I can only imagine what a financial burden this has become for you and your family. I hope your sweet boy can keep fighting and gain back his quality of life. Thank you for being willing to share your story with us. Praying for a miracle and wishing you all the best. ♥
Pax update: Thank you for the kind words, fortunately after about 10 days post surgery Pax began picking up in energy and eating. After 2 weeks he was much more normal and I would say now at about 7 weeks out from surgery he completely back to normal, other than he is maintaining a preference for the ground turkey we put in his Kibble to coax him back into eating. Kibble without ground turkey gets us intense stares.
I couldn’t be happier that he is still with us and back to his old happy self, but as previously mentioned, the diagnosis and treatment cost is a strain that we will take a while to get beyond. After 5 weeks of healing, to destress all three of us, we took him across the state to Ft. Myers Beach and Sanibel and walked trails and beach parks. He had a great time and is a good car traveler, but not a fan of pools or seawater.
Seeing the still hurricane devastated area helped put my financial issue into perspective on how much worse things can be.
My best wishes to any that have to undergo serious medical problems with their family fur buddies.
Hi Mark,
I am so glad Pax has made a full recovery and has resumed living his best life. Thank you for the update! I am sure your story will give hope to others when facing a similar situation. Wishing you all continued success and happiness. Take care!
so sorry for your loss of your fur baby…i have a little dog and for 5 yrs been fighting to keep her alive..episode 2019 was first in special hospital and cost 1,300. but since then she comes down with same symptoms again and again. see vet. get test and meds and is better. but this month is different. she was sick early June and then 2 weeks later. each time cost 400. now she is acting like not feeling well. but no severe symptoms yet. she is 12 yrs old. c
seriously considering putting her to sleep. i cant afford to keep putting out this kind of money . hear surgery is way out of .my ball park. thanks for sharing, Mary
Hi Mary,
My heart goes out to you as you face this recurring issue with your senior girl. I am sorry the cost of her medical care is putting you under so much financial strain and limiting your options moving forward. Sometimes saying goodbye can be the most loving option even when it breaks our hearts to even consider it. I hope you can find the answers and advice you need to make the best choice for everyone involved. Praying for strength and comfort. Bless you and your sweet girl.
On January 3, 2024, my 13-year-old Cocker Spaniel was casually diagnosed with galbladder mucocele during an abdominal ultrasound. Dumbo was and continues to be asymptomatic, and blood tests are always normal. He was put on a low-fat (3.5%), chicken and turkey diet, rich in vegetables and low in carbohydrates. As snacks between meals, pieces of apple, pear and blueberries. After just over a month he lost weight and appears rejuvenated. He even went back to jumping on the couch without needing help. As medications he only takes one tablet of Denamarin a day, because the vet advised against giving him Ursodiol because his gallbladder has become very distended (3.9 times) and therefore the contractions caused by Ursodiol could cause rupture of the gallbladder and consequent peritonitis. Two subsequent ultrasounds were performed in Dumbo, but without any improvement. Given his age and above all the fact that he appears normal and his blood tests are always perfect, I am very reluctant to have him operated on. How much longer can I wait, repeating ultrasound and blood tests every month, to see if he finally improves, before possibly deciding to operate? And is it really better not to give him Ursodiol? Any help and information on this matter is truly appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Stefano,
I understand your concern for Dumbo with this chronic gall bladder issue he is facing. Unfortunately, there is no way to know how long he can go before it ruptures or causes other serious complications. I am not sure if giving the Ursodiol would be advised and think it was wise of your vet to be so cautious. It may be time to ask about a consultation with an internal medicine specialist. They can give you more information about treatment options and what is recommended for your boy based on his specific medical details. I hope Dumbo is still feeling well and living his best life. Wishing you both the best of luck for many happy years to come.
I wanted to give this info a bump given the somewhat grim outcomes of previous studies:
RESULTS 45 (64%) dogs were included in the elective group and 25 (36%) in the nonelective group. Group mortality rates were 2% (1/45) and 20% (5/25), respectively, and differed significantly.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Dogs that underwent elective cholecystectomy had a considerably lower mortality rate than previously reported.
Source: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/252/8/javma.252.8.970.xml
Looks like there is some hope there!
Hi C,
I love it when there are specific numbers to share, especially when it comes from a reliable source. Thank you for this great information!
Is anyone in the States doing lsp. cholecystectomy in dogs with mucoceles?
Hi Tina,
Yes, there are specialists here in the U.S. that will perform laparoscopic surgery for many different conditions.
Hi there! I wanted to share my story of my eight-year-old long haired Chihuahua, who just underwent his gallbladder removal surgery. I live in NC, his surgery was 10k (no insurance). He was diagnosed with mucocele. Bentley had his surgery on a Wednesday stayed until Sunday that week in the ER. His total bilirubin level kept going up and vets didn’t understand why. As soon as the levels dropped some they were ready to discharge him. He’s home now, very thirsty but barely eating. Also his stomach is super super bloated, he literally looks pregnant. I can tell it’s very uncomfortable for him. Is this normal, almost a week after surgery?
Hi Alondra,
I am so sorry your little guy has endured so much over the past few weeks. I understand why you are worried, and I agree this has me concerned too. Without examining your boy myself, I can’t make specific conclusions, but I do think this needs to be evaluated by your vet (or the specialist/surgeon). Please reach out to them as soon as possible and make them aware of the bloating, discomfort, and lack of appetite. Hoping for answers and a clear path forward. Praying for healing!
Hello,
My 7 y.o. Golden Ret/Mix was just diagnosed yesterday with this. I have called every vet in a 2 hour radius. No one seems to think this is an emergency. Out of 4 places, only (1) can do it before the end of the year. I don’t think she will make it 2 more months. She still drinks, but will not eat. My vet mentioned medicine. I’m hoping this will help her until the surgery on the 28th of December. I guess I just don’t see how this isn’t considered more of an emergency type surgery considering the gallbladder can rupture.
Hi Jen,
Goodness I am so sorry you are stuck in this difficult situation with your girl. I understand your concern and agree that moving forward with treatment sooner rather than later would be my choice. I am glad you have a date set (even if it is several weeks away) and pray your sweet girl will remain stable until then. Hoping the medication will help and wishing your pup all the best for a full recovery.
My dog, 3 lb toy Chihuahua, was diagnosed with gallbladder sludge. My vet found it by dog bloodwork that showed extremely high liver enzymes. After fasting bloodwork was done I was sent to an internal medicine vet. The internal vet did an ultrasound and found the gallbladder sludge. Stomach meds and an antibiotic were prescribed for my pup. I’ve learned that their diet is really important.
Hi K,
I am glad you were able to get a diagnosis so quickly. Hoping your little guy will respond favorably to the medications and is able to make a full recovery. Feel free to leave an update as things progress. Best wishes to you both!
My almost age 14 Shih Tzu just had gall bladder surgery last Friday. He was first diagnosed with gall bladder sludge about 11 months after he started vomiting, not bile every morning. We tried Ursodiol and Pepcid, and all seemed to be going well. Ultrasound was fine about 6 weeks ago. Then all of sudden, he got really sick over Memorial Day weekend. He vomited really bad a few times and wasn’t feeling well. The vet recommended gall bladder removal even tho the liver enzymes were high. She felt they wouldn’t go down while gall bladder was there. He is doing well now after not eating after surgery for about 3 days. I will take him in on Tuesday for suture removal and liver recheck. The lab confirmed it was mucocele and secondary inflammation.
Hi Diane,
I am sorry your senior guy had to go through this difficult surgery but what a blessing he is doing well and on the road to recovery. Hoping you received a good report at the recheck appointment. Feel free to leave an update and let us know how things are going. Wishing you and your sweet boy all the best!
I lost my Shiloh shepherd 2 days ago to gallbladder mucocele. she would have been 14 tomorrow. Even though she was a paraplegic, her bloodwork was always perfect and she was a happy girl She had been on denamarin for about 9 months as she had been diagnosed with gallbladder sludge. About a month ago she was out on ursodiol. Tuesday she was very happy…Wednesday evening she couldn’t eat or drink and was retching. Took her to vet Thursday morning. Bloodwork showed liver and pancreas off the charts…..x-rays were done, then ultrasound. Gallbladder was bad. sent us to specialty hospital to for fluidsand pain medication. Another ultrasound was done the next day, diagnosed with gallbladder mucocele. Since surgery wasn’t an option, I brought her home Friday and had her euthanized. I am devastated. Her vet did not not inform me of her gallbladder sludge a year ago. I read the report and read that denamarin is used for it. I contacted my regular vet who agreed about the denamarin. This was from last December. she again had an ultrasound in July and the vet didn’t mention the gallbladder sludge. I read about ursodial and the vet wrote it a prescription for it. Do you think that if my dog had been on ursodial a year ago, it would have prevented the mucocele and my dog would still be alive?
Dear Deborah,
I am so sorry for the tragic loss of your Shepherd. I know you must miss her terribly and would have done anything to give her more time. It is normal while grieving to contemplate all the “what ifs” but please don’t let this become a burden you carry. There is really no way to know if starting the ursodiol last year would have prevented this from progressing. In my experience, most gall bladder issues do end up becoming a problem at some point even with early intervention. I hope with time your heart will begin to heal and you can focus on all the good times you shared. May your sweet girl’s memory stay with you always and be a blessing in your life.
Thank you Dr. Buzby
I would like to know where to find a very low fat diet for gallbladder mucocele. Just started Ursodoil. Prescription canned foods did not agree and loaded with bad ingredients such as carageenan and crushed pecan shells and pork by products.
Hi Lori,
Unfortunately, since I am not personally involved with your dog’s medical care, I can’t make specific recommendations about diet and nutrition. It may be best to look into making a home cooked diet so you can control the ingredients and will know exactly what your dog is consuming. I highly recommend talking to a specialist. Most veterinary nutritionists are willing to schedule phone consultations and can guide you through the ingredient selection process. The reason I like to involve a nutritionist is to make sure the home cooked diet is not lacking in essential nutrients and is complete. I hope this helps a bit. Best of luck to you and your pup.
My 7yr old Sheltie Cody is on ursidiol and a low fat high fiber food. I order from Chewy it is Hills prescription WD stew, Cody loves it.
He had a mucous cell a few years ago but with antibiotics and Ursidiol and low fat high fiber food he has done ok. Lately his ALKP #’s are very high 1500. So now we will see a board certified Internist,All his other numbers are perfect! Not sure what’s causing this number to rise. I have an ultrasound at least once a year to check the gallbladder, this time it does show like it’s trying to form another mucous cell. He has no other symptoms he’s doing good otherwise.
Hi Sandra,
I’m so glad to hear that Cody has been doing well on his ursodiol and WD stew! Hopefully you got good news from the visit with the internal medicine specialist and were able to work with them to keep Cody feeling great despite the rise in ALKP and changes on the ultrasound. Best of luck to you and him!
What is considered low fat diet after removing gallbladder?
Hi John,
There isn’t a lot of research to prove that a low-fat diet is necessary after the gallbladder is removed but is still recommended just as a precaution. There are no specific numbers for what low fat should be, but most prescription low fat dog foods have 10% or less crude fat.
Hi Julie,
My nearly 14 y/o shihtzu was diagnosed with this about 6 months ago. Due to her age my vet did not recommend surgery and prescribed Ursodiol as well as Denamarin and a low fat diet. He originally told me that she would stay on these medications in hopes that it would keep her ducts from being blocked. Now she is on her last refill of Ursodiol and he says she can come off of it which contradicts what he originally said. The other day when I took her in for a check up he claimed to have done an ultrasound and came back and said her gallbladder is clean and she doesn’t need the medication anymore – which again confuses me bc before he talked like it was something that would not go away completely. When I paid my bill, I was only charged for a visit and not an ultrasound so it left me questioning if he actually did one. I didn’t want to make any kind of accusations but wondering if I should take her elsewhere for a second opinion. She’s doing well but has had high liver values for over a year… other than that she is doing great! You wouldn’t know she’s 14 y/o and I hope to keep her with me for as long as I possibly can as she is my baby. 🥰 I worry that my vet has given up on her since she can be a bit of a diva when it comes to them trying to do xrays/ultrasounds etc. Any advice or information you could give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Ashley.
Dear Ashley,
I am sorry your senior girl is having these ongoing issues with her gallbladder and liver. Since I was not present for her past exams, it is hard to know why certain choices were made. Without playing a personal role in your dog’s medical care I can’t make specific conclusions or recommendations about her treatment. It might be a good idea to discuss your concerns with your vet and have an honest conversation about how things have progressed with time. Don’t hesitate to ask hard questions or request more information that would help you gain some clarity. With that being said, it is always ok to get a second opinion. Do whatever you need to be comfortable with the choices that are being made for you and your sweet girl. She is lucky to have someone like you advocating for her health and well-being. Praying for a positive outcome and many happy days ahead for you both.
When you quote 20-25% mortality rate with the gall bladder removal, does this include ruptured gallbladder’s as well as elective, gallbladder removal‘s? As you know, a ruptured gall bladder, it’s going to have a much worse outcome and many more potential complications, than an elective gallbladder removal. I’m considering having my dogs gallbladder removed as she has mucoceles(classic kiwi pattern) showing with US. However, I’ve never seen a statistic that high for the mortality which gives me pause..
Hi Monica,
Yes, the percentage quoted does include elective and non-elective surgeries. Here is a quote from one source I researched:
” Overall mortality rates are reported to be between 20–39% for this disease, however, early surgical intervention may significantly reduce mortality rates.”
This is from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons website. Here is the link in case you want to read more from the source: https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/gallbladder-mucocele#:~:text=Dogs%20with%20gallbladder%20mucoceles%20that%20undergo%20cholecystectomy%20and,early%20surgical%20intervention%20may%20significantly%20reduce%20mortality%20rates.
I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for your pup. Praying for a positive outcome!
Our beloved Monte passed away last month after a mucocele ruptured his gallbladder. He underwent emergency surgery but it was too late. He’d been healthy and it was a total shock. I don’t regret putting him through the surgery — we had to try everything. (The pricetag — yikes. The very next day, we signed our other dog up for pet health insurance!) Here’s my question. Another commenter mentioned that her dog had had a limp a few weeks before, and it’s a symptom of gallbladder pain. Is this true? I can’t find it anywhere else online. Our Monte had also had a limp a month before and the vet couldn’t find the cause. It did stop and we figured maybe he’d pulled a muscle. Thank you.
Hi Betsy,
I am sorry for your tragic loss of Monte. Even though the surgery was too late, I am glad you tried and gave your sweet boy the chance. As far as the limping is concerned, I am not sure this is a specific sign of gall bladder pain. Sometimes abdominal pain can cause dogs to “limp” or show pain when walking, but this is not always the case. I am glad you were able to get pet health insurance for your other dog. Hoping you will not need to utilize it and are headed for smooth sailing in the future. Thank you for sharing Monte’s story with us. Wishing you the best.
Hi! My poor dog had his gallbladder removed due to gallbladder microcell. Unfortunately, it’s been two weeks and he presents the same as before his gallbladder was removed. He still looks in pain and absolutely miserable. He’s very picky about what he will eat. He has muscle spasms in his front legs after eating and he won’t move from lying on the couch. I don’t think our vet knows what is wrong with him still. They said they are trying to “jump start” his liver. (The biopsy came back fine) he also doesn’t drink water. Just curious if anyone has encountered this or had any suggestions.
Hi Jennifer,
I understand your concern for your pup and am sorry he is having so many issues since his surgery. It worries me that he isn’t drinking water. Please make sure your vet is aware of this problem and keep them up to date as his recovery process continues. Praying things will get better quickly and your sweet boy will make a full recovery. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Maxie also had surgery for a ruptured gallbladder. We are in our 2nd going 3rd week post surgery. I noticed that she had become a very picky eater.
Hi all,
I’m looking for for experience with gallbladder mucocele and high liver enzymes.
We have a 12.5 year old dachshund who had extremely high alp and other high enzymes during lab work in November.
We followed up with an ultrasound which showed a mucocele.
He is currently asymptomatic.
We met with a surgeon and surgery cost is around 6k.
Currently we are on ursodiol, milk thistle and denamarin.
I have concerns about putting him through surgery at his age along with the cost but if this is definitely going to prolong his life I’m for it.
Can anyone share their experiences?
I also suspect he has cushings which started this discovery but that testing has been put on the back burner for now.
Hi John,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult decision for your Dachshund. I hope you will find the comments left by other readers to be helpful. I wish I could tell you the best course of action, but this is one of those instances where there is no straight forward answer. Generally, if the dog is asymptomatic, I tend to go with medical management. It is never wrong to get a second opinion when dealing with issues of this magnitude. I hope you can find the answers you need to make a decision with which you can be at peace. Praying for a positive outcome for your sweet boy and a long and happy future.
My 10 year old black mouth cut had high liver levels I was told she had pancreatitis in December. I brought her in for annuals in February and the X-ray showed a large mass on her liver. An ultrasound was conducted and the radiologist did not recommend surgery because he thought laying on her back during surgery would cause the mass to crush her other organs nor did he and the vet thought it could be removed. I asked for a referral so I could get a second opinion and though the surgery was 7k, it was completed and they were able to remove the entire mass which weighed almost 10 pounds.
Hi Judy,
WOW! That is impressive! I am so glad your senior girl made it through anesthesia and the surgery was successful. Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers. I am certain this will give hope to others in a similar situation.
I’m in the same boat, john. my 13 yr old doxie has Cushings and has an “early mucocele”. blood work is good & shows no symptoms of gallbladder issue.
I’m going through this now
My 10 year old white doxie that is deaf and genetically bred in the worst way (2 major surgeries already and a pet store purchase) had his ultrasound today and he definitely has a mucocele
He is my heart and one of the best dogs I have had the pleasure of having in my life
I’m struggling right now on what is best for him. We are also waiting for the results on possible lymphoma, his lymph nodes in his neck are enlarged – he is on anti vomiting meds now to be able to keep his food down but his stool is bright yellow and then a green slime forms over it
I’m being told at a specialty vet hospital the surgery will be between 10-15 thousand dollars and at his age and the mortality rate of the surgery I’m just numb and shocked and don’t know what to do
My vet should have the radiology report within 48 hours and hopefully by that time we will know if we are dealing with lymphoma as well
Dear Dawn,
My heart aches for you as you face this difficult situation with your senior boy. While you are advocating for him and addressing his needs, please make sure you are taking care of yourself as well. I can only imagine what an emotional toll this is taking and the amount of worry and stress you must be under. I am praying for comfort for you both. Wishing you strength as you navigate this tough road ahead. Bless you and your sweet little guy.
Thank you
His pathology came back and he does not have lymphoma his salivary glands are enlarged and were mistaken for lymph nodes
He went today for surgery and just came out of it an hour ago and doing okay – hopefully coming home Sunday
I hope for a few more great years with this special little guy! We ended up taking him to Michigan state university and they were so reasonable with pricing and so compassionate and thorough
I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted and I can breathe again
Hi Dawn,
This is such great news! So glad the surgery was a success and what a relief you don’t have to worry about lymphoma. I am happy to hear you had a great experience at MSU. Thank you for the update. Wishing you and your sweet boy continued health and happiness!
My 10 year old Jack Russell Cheyenne spayed female underwent cholecystectomy about 3 weeks ago. Gall bladder had a small rupture. bacteria culture and liver biopsy showed negative.
Currently on Denemarin and Ursodial. Liver values test last week showed ALKP at 1237 and ALT at 509, all other values in normal range. Incision has completely healed. Eating and general mood has improved dramatically. I will be retesting liver values in a month. Are there any changes I should consider, such as low fat diet or other medications?
Hi John,
I am so glad Cheyenne’s surgery was successful and she was able to make a full recovery! A diet change might be a good idea and medication may be needed, but these decisions will probably be based on what the lab work looks like at the next recheck. Make sure you discuss these concerns with your vet so you can feel comfortable with the choices made going forward. Wishing you both many happy days ahead. Bless you!
Julie,
Cheyenne’s values have improved a lot since November
ALKP was 1237 now 258
ALT was 509 now 167
She’s off all medication at this point, has her energy back, and seems normal.
What’s the deal with Cushings disease?
Every time the liver values are slightly out of whack, the vets bring up Cushings.
It’s my understanding that Cushings is very hard to diagnose.
Hi John,
Wow! This is great news! I am so glad Cheyenne’s liver values have improved and you were able to discontinue her medications. Ugh…yes Cushing’s is tricky. There is just so much information to discuss it may be easier to share some articles with you. Here are links to other articles on this site about Cushing’s disease:
1. Cushing’s Disease in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Medications
2. Trilostane for Dogs With Cushing’s Disease
3. What Does a High ALP in Dogs Mean?
I hope this helps a bit. Cheyenne may have some additional diagnostic tests in her future. But for now, let’s celebrate this win over her gallbladder disease! Thank you for the update. This has made my day. ♥
Can you please tell me how much more risky this surgery is for dogs with Cushing’s disease?
My vet said she needs to get her gallbladder removed and we are going to meet with a surgeon soon. This is scary !
Hi Diane,
I understand your concern for your dog with this upcoming surgical procedure. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the exact risks associated with gallbladder removal and Cushing’s disease. This would be a great question for the specialist! I would be curious to know what you find out at your meeting with the surgeon. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Praying for a successful surgery and a full recovery for your dog!
My sweet baby girl Serenity (chihuahua mix) has been diagnosed with this as of today. I noticed her change in attitude and activity early and requested bloodwork from our vet. We confirmed high liver numbers and proceeded to an emergency care vet who did an ultrasound and confirmed this condition. She’s very young (3) and stable enough that our vet is confident she will come thru a removal surgery. We are hopeful as she is very much my whole world.
Monday she will have her gallbladder removed and hopefully start recovery and continue to live a long and pampered life.
I am relieved in some ways and in more ways still worried. I cannot express the importance of pet insurance. I’m thankful that we are financially in a position to help our baby and heartbroken its such a high expense for others (8k for ours)
Hi Kayla,
I am so glad you noticed the changes in your pup’s behavior and were able to get her medical attention quickly. I am glad the vet was pretty confident about positive results and a good prognosis. How did surgery go today? I am praying your sweet girl is resting comfortably and in the healing process. I hope Serenity will make a full recovery and have many happy years ahead. Bless you both. ♥
My 14 year old sweet Daphne, cocker spaniel just got diagnosed with a ruptured gallbladder.
It took a week for the diagnosis. She has pancreatitis, thought I’d was that until blood work. Impossible to get an ultrasound, finally did. Our vet found a place after 7 attempts that might be able to do the surgery.
I’m torn.
She completely bounced back after antibiotics and 2 IVS eating and is bouncy and bright
My vet said very risky surgery especially at her age.
Going to go see what the surgeon says.
I don’t know how long she can live just on antibiotics.
Praying for guidance.
She’s my world.
Dear Johanna,
My heart goes out to you and this difficult situation you are in with Daphne. I honestly feel like there is truly no right or wrong answer when it comes to whether to pursue surgery or not. I definitely think talking to the surgeon is a great idea. They can give you their recommendation and let you know what they think is best. I am glad the antibiotics have helped, and your sweet girl is feeling better. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for you and Daphne. Praying for strength and clarity for you and a positive outcome for your pup. ♥
Johannah – curious to know if you went through with the surgery & how things went and how your baby is doing. My 13 year old may need his out and I am worried with his age and other conditions (heart & kidney disease) the surgery may be too much for him. Although he has a lot of life left in him for his age so we are torn too. Waiting to talk to internal med vet….
I am curious how your precious baby is doing. I am faced with the same dilemma. My 14 y/0 mixed terrier, Belle, was diagnosed in November, 2022, with a GBM. Here it is January, 2023 and we are still “walking on eggshells” with her. Every day I worry about her. She is currently on Ursodiol, Vitamin E and a low fat diet. I want her to be well so I have considered the surgery. The next thought is I don’t want to put her through the surgery and possibly lose her. She is doing good and happy. She doesn’t even behave like she is sick. She is my heart and best friend. If I do the surgery and lose her, I will feel so guilty; if I don’t do the surgery and her gallbladder bursts, I will feel so guilty. Damned if I do and damned if I don’t.
Hi Teresa,
I am sorry you are in such a difficult situation with your senior girl. I can only imagine the daily worry you must feel for Belle. I wish I had some good advice or could tell you what the right choice would be. If you haven’t spoken to a specialist, this could be a good way to gather more information and help with these tough decisions. Praying for clarity and strength to face this uncertain road ahead. Bless you both.
I lost my Joy, a Border Terrier, to this horrible disease 8 months ago. She was 13. She had full blood work every year and had just had a normal “well visit” a few weeks before she suddenly got very ill. A few weeks before, she had experienced a temporary limp on her front paw, which I later learned can be a sign of gallbladder pain. One morning she vomited in the morning. I was not too concerned. She seemed fine. However, while taking her daily walk, she vomited again. By later that afternoon she could not even keep down water. She also experienced backward sneezing, which can be caused by acid reflux. Joy had experience d those before, but we thought it was seasonal allergy related. So many things I did not know. The vet ordered bloodwork and found high liver and bilirubin levels. She ordered antibiotics and an elective ultrasound appt. The test was scheduled for 2 weeks later at Med Vet. Too long to wait in my opinion. After a few days on meds, she appeared to stabilize, but then went downhill again. I rushed her to Med Vet and asked for an emergency ultrasound. The dreaded diagnosis of a gallbladder on the verge of rupture was made. I did not want to put her through a major surgery, especially after seeing the high mortality rate and possible complications following surgery. The ER vet agreed. Joy passed away in my arms. I now live with the “what ifs.” Should I have let her go through surgery? I now see where many dogs survive, although I see that surgery outcomes are better with dogs that have been diagnosed before symptoms. She was my world, the best friend I’ve ever had. I don’t think I will ever come to peace with my decision. But I would have hated it if she suffered following the surgery. No good answers. I miss her terribly and just don’t know if I will ever be able to go through this grief again. Till we meet again sweet Joy….
Dear K.,
I am so sorry for your loss of Joy. I know it is impossible to stop running scenarios through your head and let go of the “what ifs”. Please know you did right by your sweet girl and made the best choices with the situation you were dealt. Saying goodbye was completely unselfish and came from a place of love. I know you would have done anything in your power to keep her with you if you felt it was truly best. What a blessing to have spent 13 years together. I have no doubt she knew how much she was loved. I hope with time your heart will heal and her memory will be a blessing. ♥
My dog passed away recently due to this surgery. I regretted putting her through it. I watched her suffer post surgery and did not make it.. 7 hours of pain. I was at the hospital through it all. She was 11. Her gall bladder has not ruptured. But I still lost her. Don’t regret not letting her go through the surgery. I regretted letting her go through it. She was my whole world.
Dear Joyce,
I am sorry for your recent loss of your senior girl. My heart goes out to you as you work through your grief. Thank you for being willing to share your experience and offer advice. I hope you will be able to hold on to all the good memories of your sweet girl as you continue life’s journey.
We just experienced this diagnosis within the last week. Our sweet Abigail (Australian Cattle Dog mix) showed no signs of anything out of HER ordinary last Saturday and then on Sunday, 12/18, she was vomiting—- couldn’t keep water down, lethargic, etc… She was between 14-15 yrs old, as we rescued her a little over 13 years ago. This very diagnosis was confirmed to us the next day after an overnight stay at the emergency hospital where she was on liquids, anti-nausea, low dose antibiotics and some pain medication. This being her ONLY major health issue in all of the time we have had her, my husband opted for surgery, as it was explained (and I feel the vets believed) all would be well, despite her age. Recovery anticipated to be a bit longer, but not one noted that in their professional opinion, it wouldn’t be beneficial to her not to have the surgery. The emergency vet found another clinic in town that was able to complete the surgery the next day. The post-op complications were scarier than the explanation of the surgery itself, after speaking to the surgeon. Despite this, we proceed. The surgery went well; her gall bladder was severely diseased, liver looked fine, stomach full of bile. Unfortunately, she passed shortly after while in recovery. Our hearts are broken; however, after reading this article, I understand the bigger picture better. Her senior panel blood work was always normal. She never had a change in appetite, her drinking patterns, or urination—- nothing. Her activity level was declining, but she was a senior dog, who would have bursts of spontaneous energy as if she was 10 yrs younger. She was actively involved in her duties as an older sister to our younger dog. Her sass level didn’t decrease at all. I have been trying to figure out what we missed over the last week, and it seems that it truly can be a surprise diagnosis. HOWEVER, I feel that we were misinformed to some degree, and looking back, her poochy stomach was something I should have questioned more, instead of accepting that it was her being a bit overweight. Also the typical changes that come with aging are also similar to this diagnosis. I wish her regular vets would have picked up on it sooner… maybe she would still be with us. As a dog mom who lost her sweet girl, 6 days ago, emergency and speciality veterinary medicine preyed upon our love for our pet with this particular diagnosis. Our story and so many others in this thread could have been avoided—- yes, we would have lost them, their suffering was profit in someone else’s pocket, and I hate that part of me didn’t advocate strong for her, as her mom, I should have put my foot down. I know my husband felt strongly about this surgery because of the “what ifs”, as she was overall pretty healthy, and we were initially informed to believe that she would be okay. I didn’t want to lose her either, but the post-op complications were scarier to me. I knew I would find a way to cope with aftermath of not proceeding with the surgery, but he wouldn’t be able to if we didn’t try—- so surgery she got. My heart knew we were going to lose her either way, and the recovery was just more painful for her, and so she past when her vitals were being taken in recovery… without us. Sometimes the hardest decisions, are the best decisions for your pet and yourself. Her diagnosis was just another emergency hospital franchise making a profit—- lesson learned. This article, and those linked to it, have helped tremendously in trying to understand what we and her regular vets missed along the way, so thank you.
Dear Sarah,
I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Abigail. You are right that this diagnosis can show up very suddenly with no prior warning. There is probably nothing you or your vet missed. I hope you can let go of the burden of guilt and allow yourself some grace. I understand how emotional these decisions can be, especially when your husband had different ideas of how to proceed. In this situation, I honestly don’t think there was a right or wrong choice. There was no way to know your girl wouldn’t make it through recovery and gain extra precious time with her loved ones. I can only imagine the grief you are experiencing. With that being said, please know the emergency hospital was not pushing for surgery just to make a profit. They didn’t even perform the surgery as you mentioned they found another clinic to send her to the next day. No veterinary professional enjoys seeing a dog suffering or wants to endure their loss. Many times, after losing a patient, my colleagues (myself included) will beat ourselves up over this for weeks and then it still comes to mind in the middle of the night for months to years later. Your precious girl was important, and her loss was a tragedy felt by all who had a part in her story. I hope with time your heart will heal and Abigail’s memory will be a blessing to you and your family.
Don’t feel bad, our dear Sparky was euthanized almost two weeks ago. He was 14 years old and had pulmonary hypertension and thyroid disease. I did not feel that he would make it through the surgery and I didn’t want him to suffer more if he got complications. He was on Denamarin and lasted 7 months after diagnosis.
I also am reading these comments to see if we made the right decision. Terrible decision to make.
Dear Lea,
I am sorry for your loss of Sparky. Take comfort in knowing you gave your sweet boy a wonderful life. I am certain he knew how much he was loved. May his memory be a blessing to you and your family. Wishing you peace and comfort.
Hi K. I’m so sorry for your loss of Joy. I see this comment is from 2022 but I’m sure the loss is no less present. Joy’’s story is nearly identical to my Alice. She was my 12 year old chihuahua mix who has been with me since she was 6 months old. She was my heart and soul. I had to make the same impossible decision as you for Joy just 3 days ago. Her symptoms came out of nowhere on early Saturday morning she vomited. Appeared lethargic and sitting up , would not lay down. She’d drink water and pee but wouldn’t eat. I took her to the urgent vet Sunday morning as she continued to vomit and appeared in worse pain. We got some extended blood work done and fluids and meds , opting to do the ultrasound Monday when our normal vet opened. Her vomiting also stopped and she drank water on Sunday so we thought she might improve with fluids and meds. When we met with our vet Monday and went over the blood work, her bilirubin levels were 6.7 and the ultrasound revealed a mucocele. The vet didn’t feel confident in surgery so he referred us to an urgent VCA vet where we rushed her. An hour later, the Vca vet came out and said “has anyone discussed Alice’s prognosis with you?” And proceeded to say that she needed 30k surgery to remove her gallbladder immediately or euthanasia. They said it was close to 30% success rate given her age and condition of her gallbladder. My wife and I went to the car, sobbing and frantically calling family who could offer guidance. Ultimately, I decided to do the surgery because any shot was worth it. I charged two credit cards and asked to hold her to say goodbye before surgery the next morning. While holding her and asking more questions about when she was likely to pass (after the surgery v during), I felt her sigh in my arms and knew she’d rather fall asleep in my lap. 3 days later, i question and regret every action or lack of action I made regarding her care, health, diet, etc.
She also has hypothyroidism which has been managed since 2022 with medication. She was otherwise showing no signs of slowing down. The complete opposite. She did a 4 mile hike , all 10lbs of her, on the prior Sunday . She walked twice a day for 20-30 minutes. She was our weekend warrior hiker and adventurer. She slept a lot but all of our dogs do (we had 3 Senior and one 6 year old, but we also had to put down our Frenchie from age related issues two weeks ago). So now we are down to a pack of two within a couple of weeks and I’m struggling to understand the suddenness of Alice and the decision to not try the surgery.
Reading your comment about Joy helps bring me some peace with the decision, thought I’m so early in this grief journey, I know I’ll struggle for quite some time with accepting my decision to give Alice a soft goodbye.
Dear Whitney,
I am so sorry for your loss of Alice. I can only imagine how much you miss her and understand the need to ponder all the “what ifs”. You made a loving choice to prevent your girl from experiencing further suffering and pain. What a blessing you were able to hold her until the last breath. Praying for your comfort and peace. May Alice’s memory stay with you always and be a source of joy in your life.
I have just gone thru this nightmare with my beloved 11 yr old Havanese Lexi. Lexi was diagnosed with Cushing disease 2 yrs ago but we had managed her disease with periodic checkups with my vet and medicating her with Trilostane and Thyroxine for her thyroid issues.
Unfortunately this past Memorial Day Lexi became lethargic and started vomiting. We were away visiting in another state so I wound up taking her to a 24hr animal hospital. After numerous blood tests and ultrasounds Lexi was diagnosed with a gallbladder mucocele. Emergency surgery was recommended. Surgery was performed and the gallbladder was found to have started leaking. Gallbladder was removed and abdomen was flushed, drain put in and she was put on antibiotics. A gastric nose tube was also placed to try to assist in getting her to take some nourishment. Lexi appeared to come out of the surgery okay and I was hopeful she would make it thru the postoperative period. But 4 days later I was given the option of allowing them to perform another surgery as the vet indicated that she was “leaking” inside (giving a 20 to 30 percent chance of survival) or euthanizing her. I held Lexi in my arms as she left me. The pain of loosing her is as fresh today as the day it happened. I pray I made the right decisions. I am in no way making any judgement on the treatment she received and the Drs who administered it. What I will comment on is the lack of compassion and empathy that I received. As I sat holding my set friend for the last time an aide came in wit a clipboard to give a final accounting of my bill so far and to tell me I was over the high limit that they were holding on my credit card by $1000 so she needed my card to run it again. I just pointed to my purse thru my tears and told her to take the card…after which she came back into the room where I’m attempting to say my goodbyes and asked me to sign the receipt. I essentially paid for Lexi’s euthanasia and cremation before she was even dead. Lexi isn’t my first dog nor will she be my last, but it’s the first time I was ever treated like that. I’m not sure what kind of a world we are living in today, but it’s not the same one I grew up in. Lexi’s total bill was over $9000. However after going over the final bill when I could finally think straight it was found that I had been overcharged for the intravenous meds they had been providing her by over $500, which they did finally refund to my card. I also requested copies of all her records, which I am entitled to by law. It took almost a month to the day of Lexi’s death, after numerous phone calls, and emails, to finally get her records. I think of her everyday.
Dear Marion,
I am so sorry for your tragic loss of Lexi. It is so hard to say goodbye, but especially under emergency circumstances when you are away from home. It hurts my heart to know that the events surrounding her passing were less than what you expected and seemed cold and uncaring. I also try to make sure all the paperwork and financial details are taken care of prior to euthanasia. This is so that after the dog has passed, the owner can spend as much time as needed with their beloved pup and then leave when ready without having to have a conversation with staff while emotional. I feel like this was probably the intention of the clinic you were receiving services from, but it just did not come across well. It is always a bit tricky when dealing with a large bill like is common for emergency/specialty care. I hope the memories from the past 11 years will overshadow the events of those last moments. Praying you will be comforted in the knowledge that you made a difficult decision to give Lexi the peace and rest she deserved after a lifetime of loyalty and dedication. I have no doubt she knew how much she was loved. May her memory be a blessing as you continue on life’s journey.
Our beloved Bentley, 13.5 years old, left us peacefully yesterday. Although he had had periods in his life with gastric issues, those had pretty much resolved over the last year or so. A couple of days ago, he refused breakfast and dinner, and asked to go outside several times during the night. In the morning, he was shaking and extremely lethargic. We had to be gone for the day, so we asked our vet clinic to take him for the day and fit him in where they could. Good thing. His liver values, which had been only slightly high over the past year, were through the roof. The vet kept him overnight, since the traveling radiologist happened to be in the area the next morning and they could do an ultrasound. Gallbladder mucocele, which they both expected to rupture in the next 72 hours, it was so extreme. Surgical options where we are near Seattle are few and far between, and at his age, the recovery was very iffy, with significant risks and pain for him to endure. We chose to avoid the risk of excruciating pain for him, and allowed him to leave us peacefully after many years of love and devotion. Thank you for the explanatory article. The only real risk he had was being a Cocker Spamiel.
Dear Margie,
I am so sorry for the recent loss of Bentley. As hard as it was to let him go, it definitely sounds like it was the right decision. What a blessing to have shared 13.5 years together. I hope the memories of all the good times will comfort your heart. Thank you for being willing to share your story with us. Bless you. ♥
Yes I may be facing this same decision. My 14 year old toy poodle Sparky is in an Emergency Vet clinic now that we took him to yesterday. Prior diagnosis of Mucocele on Denamarin since March doing well until yesterday when he was shaking, not eating or drinking. Ultrasound showed enlarged gallbladder and bloodwork increased liver values from 2 weeks ago. He is on IVs, antibiotics and pain meds now. Waiting to hear from doctor this morning. I wouldn’t consider surgery because of his age and he has pulmonary hypertension. 😢😭
Dear Leanora,
My heart aches for you knowing you faced this difficult situation with Sparky. I hope you were able to get the answers you needed to make the most loving decision for your sweet boy. Praying you have found peace and comfort. Bless you. ♥
My sweet 13-year-old boy just had his gallbladder removed not quite a month ago. He had blood and mucus in his stool for several months and the vets couldn’t figure out why. He was happy and acting normal otherwise. He had an ultrasound on a Wednesday and was diagnosed with colitis. On Thursday he couldn’t stop vomiting and got a fever at night. Friday morning at 5am, his body released mucus and stool was just falling out of him. He was extremely lethargic and could barely walk. I rushed him to the emergency vet. Unfortunately they didn’t see him immediately. After about an hour they told me that he had pancreatitis and were going to treat with subcutaneous fluids and send him home. 20 minutes later they came back in and told me I had to put him to sleep or have his gallbladder removed. They told me the mortality rate was 50% due to his age and the status of the rupture. Of course I still rushed him to the surgery center. Thankfully the surgery was successful, but he was in the ICU for a week after. He was on a feeding tube and IV the whole time and regurgitated anything he tried eating. His bilirubin levels kept going up. They were at 8.46 and they told me he may need to go through another surgery to insert a stent. They first tried prednisone and thankfully it worked. I was able to take him home on day 6, which was 3 weeks ago. His 2-week check showed bilirubin levels down to 0.7. He’s almost fully weaned off the prednisone, but his eating habits are still off. He doesn’t want to eat in the morning and is starving and eating anything in sight from about 2pm until his dinner at 8:00 (he’s fed 3X/day). I’m praying he’s okay, but paranoid that I’m potentially missing something now. Being a dog parent is so hard. How else can I help him? He eats homemade food – is there anything special I should be including in his diet? Fiber? Probiotics? I still have no idea if he actually has colitis either. =( Any help or advice is appreciated!!!
Hi Marie,
Wow, that sounds like such a scary experience for you and your senior boy. I am glad the surgery was successful and he is on the road to recovery. Since I haven’t been personally involved in your pup’s case, I can’t make specific recommendations about his diet and treatment. It would be a good idea to talk to your vet or a veterinary nutrition specialist about the diet recommendations for your dog’s specific situation. Also, if you have any concerns that something else may be wrong, don’t hesitate to get him examined right away. It never hurts to repeat some lab work or get a second opinion. I hope your sweet boy continues to thrive and live his best life. Wishing you both the best!
My 12 year old bichon / Shitzu male dog with Cushing’s had his gallbladder removed after discovering a mucocele during an ultrasound test. He had no symptoms and recovered quickly from the surgery. His Cushing’s symptoms completely disappeared after surgery and his blood tests show everything in normal range. I know this is a very unusual outcome, but I’m delighted and hope to get many more years of love and companionship with my pup.
Hi Henry,
Wow, what a blessing! I am so glad your little guy had a complete recovery and is back to living his best life. Enjoy this gift of extra time together for making memories.
My beloved border terrier Phinley (13.2) passed away on the 27th of April of a ruptured gallbladder due to a mucocele. She had diabetes mellitus for over a year and had insulin injections twice a day. Phinley’s glucose was heavily monitored, as was her diet (all meals were measured and on a prescription diet). She had regular visits with her internist vet, and a month prior had a full blood work up; which presented as normal. She did not have cushing’s. The evening before she passed she ate her dinner, had normal bowel movements, glucose normal, went for a walk, and presented normally. No jaundice was visible, no diarrhea, no swollen abdomen. She vomited a very small amount at 2:00 AM, yet nothing alarming and went back to sleep. At 5:00 AM she vomited a considerable amount and was rushed to the vet as she was having difficulty standing. They diagnosed an infection, high liver levels, and high white blood cells, Her gallbladder was thickened, yet they did not immediate see a mucocele yet suspected a serious issue w gallbladder. Unfortunately they could not perform surgery as her blood pressure was too low and unsteady, she was in shock, and diabetic. They did not feel she would survive surgery. They tried everything they could to save her, yet she passed away of a rupture within 17 hours of her initial symptoms.
Dear Beth,
I am deeply sorry for your tragic loss of Phinley. I can only imagine how devastating it must have been to see her decline so quickly and know that surgery was not an option. I pray with time your heart will heal and you will be comforted in the knowledge that you did everything you could for your sweet girl. I have no doubt she knew how much she was loved. Thank you for sharing your story with our readers as it may help someone in a similar situation. May Phinley’s memory be a blessing as you continue along life’s journey.
My 10 year old pug had gallbladder removed 15 days ago. He presents to the ER with vomiting and loss of appetite. Vitals were stable and blood work was all within normal ranges. I encouraged further testing which led to an ultrasound and a diagnosis of a gallbladder mucocele. My dog underwent emergency cholecystectomy that was successfully. 14 day post op blood work reveals normal pancreatic enzymes and mildly elevated alt enzymes and increased wbc and neutrophils. Dog has experienced occasional bloated post op and vomiting 2-3 times a week. Appetite is moderate. Fluid intake is moderate. Doing follow up ultrasound and blood work day 22 to hopefully determine the source of the occasional vomiting. Overall surgery saved his life however I am unsure if we are in the clear yet. Please advise any advice.
Hi Alisha,
I am glad you were able to get a diagnosis and pursue surgery so quickly. I understand your worry over the vomiting and occasional bloating. It sounds like your vet has a follow up plan in place and has been staying on top of things. My only recommendation is to make sure you are keeping your vet up to date on the symptoms you are seeing at home. Make sure they are aware of your concerns and any changes in your dog’s behavior and health. They may want to schedule a recheck before day 22 or they can let you know that what you are seeing is expected. I hope your boy continues to heal without complications. Praying for a full recovery and many happy days ahead.
my senior 11.5 Georgie a havanese bichon was diagnosed with high GTT levels possible block in the bile duct high cholesterol and hypothyroidism. she also has a stage 5 heart murmur we can’t afford surgery or even a ultrasound. she has always been a fussy eater but now even harder to feed , drinks alot of water and sleeps a lot. she keeps really looking at me
i love her and don’t want her gallbladder to rupture
and suffer. cant afford surgery and she has already had crystals twice so no surgery
thoughts of putting her down right away is killing me but to sue in peace is better then a painful one
Dear Susan,
My heart aches for you and the difficult situation you are in with Georgie. It does sound like she may be struggling and nearing the end of her life. Allowing her to find peace and rest might be the most loving choice if treatment isn’t an option at this time. I will attach links to other articles that may offer additional information. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and your sweet girl. Praying for clarity and comfort.
1. Signs Your Dog is Dying: A Caring Message to Bring You Peace
2. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
julie thankyou do ever much
it’s so hard but i have decided to have a party of her life and have friends and family have a chsnce to say goodbye
so hard when she looks at me with her big brown eyes i hope my other dog Rolly who passed away a year ago in Feb comes and meets her
Dear Susan,
A celebration of life party sounds wonderful. I pray it will be full of joy and happy memories. Thinking of you and your sweet girl. ♥
My 9 year old girl Olive is currently undergoing a gall bladder removal operation. The sweetest, most calm chihuahua you’ll ever meet. Unfortunately her gall bladder ruptured and I’m hoping for the best, but also preparing for the worst. This dog gave me unconditional love for 9 years, the least I can do is try. Amazing how fast this came on, as there were no signs of trouble at all. Please say a prayer for my girl 😢
Dear Ray,
My heart goes out to you with this traumatic situation your senior girl was in. How did the surgery go? I am thinking about you both and just praying Olive made it through the procedure and is recovering at home. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
My dog Bruce is 16 years old and a pom/chihuahua. He acts very normal, great energy levels, and besides mild heart disease and a chronic cough, he is doing very well. He does not act sick or anything. One of his liver levels have been high for years and they has tested him for cushings disease about 3 or 4 years ago and it was negative (he has no symptoms of it). They did an abdominal ultrasound yesterday and discovered the really bad gall bladder. For now they prescribed him urdisol and will do another ultrasound in 2 months. Is this a safe course for now? I am hoping it helps but surgery may be inevitable but I am worried about putting him under at his age 🙁
Hi Dimitra,
I am glad you were able to get a diagnosis for Bruce and start treatment so quickly. It sounds like your vet has a solid plan in place for how to deal with your pup’s gall bladder issue. If you have any concerns, I recommend you talk to your vet and let them answer any additional questions you may have. You can also ask for a consult with veterinary internal medicine specialist in your area. They can give you a second opinion if needed and help to bring some extra comfort to a difficult situation. I hope your senior guy responds favorably to the ursodiol and can avoid surgery. Wishing you both the best. Keep us updated!
My dogs is 13.5 years has severe gallbladder disease as written about in the article. They want to do surgery but it costs $18,000. We’ve already spent $2000 on diagnostic. We are considering humane death.
Dear Evelyn,
I am so sorry you are facing this difficult decision for your dog. Humane euthanasia is a loving option and may be the best choice for your pup. I hope you are able to find the advice you need to be comfortable with whichever path you take. Wishing you strength and peace.
I had a sheltie many years ago who died in my arms from a ruptured gall bladder. She was 15 years old and was on medical management for her condition (her picture is shown on my website – the “Donate Care” page). I wish I had her gall bladder removed because it was a very painful death for her, and we couldn’t get her to the ER fast enough before she died. A few years ago I got two more shelties (brother and sister) and they BOTH have this condition! They are only 2 years old right now, and on medical management, however I am planning to have their gall bladders removed before they become a problem. I pray that they don’t have complications – this is very scary given the mortality rate. I am hoping because they don’t have a previous leak, and they are young and healthy, that they will bounce back.
Hi Laurie,
I am sorry for the tragic loss of your Sheltie girl. Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when things progress so quickly you don’t have time to process. I hope things go well for your young pups and you can avoid complications in the future. Thank you for sharing your story with our readers. Wishing you all the luck for happy days ahead.
My senior dog had a gallbladder mucocele and had to get her gallbladder removed (she actually had her surgery today!). She did not have any signs of it either. My vet wanted to check up on a lump my dog had on her liver to see if it had enlarged since the last time we checked. An ultrasound was done and the lump was not bigger but the vet saw that my dog’s gallbladder was inflamed. My dog had no symptoms. She would eat anything and everything. She might have been lethargic and I just thought of that as her being a senior. Other than that she had none of the symptoms listed in this article. So you always want to make sure to perform annual blood work on your senior dog.
Hi Vanessa,
What a blessing to have caught this issue on a routine screening before it became a dangerous problem. Yes, annual lab work can be such a life saver! Praying your sweet girl has a smooth recovery and is back to her happy self in no time. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Best wishes!
Our old girl “Spirit” who’s a yellow Labrador, was diagnosed with “sludge” in her gallbladder when she was 12 years old. Luckily it had not progressed too far and the vet prescribed Ursodial. She is doing very well and just had her 14th birthday, so we feel very blessed to still have out sweet girl. We have also bought toegrips for her, which help keep her from slipping on our tile floors, and we give her Dr. Buzby’s hip & joint supplement.
Hi Debbie,
I am so glad to hear Spirit is doing well and living her best life. Thank you for the kind words about ToeGrips and Encore Mobility! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with our readers. Wishing you and your sweet girl the best. ♥
My 14 year old Bichon named Flash was diagnosed with a gall bladder mucocele in 2020. He had been throwing up, shaking, and wouldn’t eat or drink. Blood work showed extremely high liver enzyme levels and after ruling out other issues, an ultrasound was done, confirming the mucocele diagnosis. Flash was put on a very low fat diet, ursodiol, SamE supplements and more recently milk thistle. Flash turned 16 in September 2022 and is doing really well. He still has elevated liver enzymes but no clinical signs of illness. He was not a candidate for surgery due to his age, however we are so happy with his progress following the medicine and supplement routine. He also eats 3 small meals a day to help from overloading his system.
Hi Linda,
This makes my heart happy. What a blessing that Flash is doing so well and his mucocele has been able to be well managed with medications alone. Thank you for sharing your story with our readers. I know this will give hope to others in a similar situation. Praying your sweet boy will continue to thrive and have many happy days ahead. Bless you both. ♥