title: Gallbladder agenesis in a Maltese dog.
abstract: This report describes the diagnostic evaluation of a 7-month-old, female Maltese dog with elevated liver enzymes. Marked elevations of alanine transferase were the significant clinical findings. A diagnosis of gallbladder agenesis was made, based on lack of a gallbladder on ultrasonography and on surgical exploration. Gallbladder agenesis is a rare condition described in humans but not previously reported in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA.
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: D Michael
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Tillson
authors.forename: Leah Ann
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Kuhnt
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004285:Dogs / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D000410:Alanine Transaminase