Factors affecting survival in 516 dogs that underwent cholecystectomy for the treatment of gallbladder mucocele.

Gallbladder mucocele (GBM) is a commonly diagnosed disease process in dogs that is associated with high morbidity and mortality if not recognized and appropriately managed. Although the exact mechanism of this disease process is not completely understood, previous studies in smaller populations of dogs have identified multiple factors that predispose to the development of GBM and affect survival. The purpose of this cross-sectional, retrospective study was to evaluate the effects of age, breed category, sex, preoperative antibiotic administration, gallbladder rupture, and a positive biliary culture in dogs that had a cholecystectomy performed for the treatment of GBM. The age (median: 11 years) and percentage of dogs that died within 14 days of cholecystectomy (16.7%) are similar to what have been reported in other studies. Gallbladder rupture and a positive biliary culture occurred in 20.4% and 12.5% of dogs, respectively. Dogs with a gallbladder rupture and positive biliary culture were 2.74 and 3.10 times more likely to die within 14 days of cholecystectomy, respectively. This contradicts a recent study that failed to find a significant association between survival and biliary culture result. Interestingly, younger age was associated with an increased occurrence of gallbladder rupture in that population. Because of the potential effect of gallbladder rupture and a biliary tract infection, abdominal imaging, biliary culture, and empirical preoperative antimicrobial therapy are recommended in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy for the treatment of GBM.