CHRONIC HEPATITIS IN THE ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL

ABSTRACT PRESENTED AT EUROPEAN COLLEGE OF VETERINARY
INTERNAL MEDICINE (ECVIM) CONGRESS - BUDAPEST 2007

     N.H.Bexfield¹, T.J.Scase¹, S.M.Warman², E.Skancke³, W.Farstad³, P.J.Watson¹

    ¹Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, ²School of Clinical
    Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK, ³Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences,
    Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway.

    Canine chronic hepatitis (CH) is seen with an increased incidence in certain breeds, including the Bedlington,
    West Highland White and Skye Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Doberman, Dalmatian and Labrador Retriever. In some
    breeds CH is thought to be associated with abnormalities in copper metabolism. In the majority of cases of CH
    however, the aetiology is poorly understood. The authors have recently noted a previously undocumented
    increased incidence of CH in the English Springer Spaniel (ESS). The purpose of this study was to describe the
    history, clinical signs, clinicopathologic abnormalities and outcome in such cases.

    ESS presented to referral and general practices in the UK and Norway for investigation of elevated liver enzymes,
    clinical signs of liver disease and histopathological confirmation of CH were identified. Clinical, laboratory
    and pathological data were obtained from case records or by contact with the referring veterinarian. Formalin
    fixed or paraffin embedded liver tissue was obtained for review by one of the authors using a panel of seven liver-
    specific stains including rubeanic acid.

    Thirty four cases were identified. Mean age was 3 years 4 months (range 7 months - 9 years) and 24 female and
    10 male dogs were represented. 28/34 dogs had been vaccinated within the proceeding 12 months. Clinical
    signs at presentation included vomiting, depression, lethargy and anorexia. Pyrexia was documented in 12 dogs
    and 26 dogs were jaundiced. Biochemical changes in all cases included moderate to marked elevations in ALP
    and ALT and mild to moderate elevations in total bilirubin. Other variable findings included, hypocholesterol-
    aemia, hypercholesterolaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, decreased urea, elevated bile acids and prolonged coagulation
    times. Neutrophilia was documented in 12 of 21 dogs. Results of abdominal imaging were non-specific. 
    Histological examination of liver tissue demonstrated changes consistent with CH including hepatocellular apoptosis
    or necrosis, a variable mononuclear or mixed inflammatory infiltrate, regeneration and fibrosis. There was no evidence
    of increased copper accumulation in any dog. Treatment included one or more of dietary modification, antioxi-
    dants, antibiotics, ursodeoxycholic acid and corticosteroids. Follow up data was available in 26 dogs and 16 of these
    died or were euthanased within a mean of 4 months following initial diagnosis. The median survival time of the re-
    maining dogs was 7 months.

    This study suggests that the ESS might be predisposed to a type of CH without copper accumulation which carries
    a poor prognosis. Further investigations in to the aetiology and possible genetic basis of this condition are indicated.