Chronic hepatitis in Labrador Retrievers: clinical presentation and prognostic factors.
BACKGROUND
An increased incidence of chronic hepatitis has been reported in Labrador Retrievers.


OBJECTIVE
A breed associated hepatopathy occurs in Labrador Retrievers.


METHODS
Twenty-four client-owned Labrador Retrievers.


METHODS
Medical records of dogs with histopathologic confirmation of chronic hepatitis were retrospectively reviewed. A clinical score based on clinical signs and the results of biochemical tests was generated for each dog. Hepatic biopsy specimens were scored for disease activity, fibrosis, and copper accumulation.


RESULTS
The median age was 9.3 years (range, 3.9-14.0 years). Clinical signs included inappetence, vomiting, lethargy, and weight loss. All dogs had increases in serum activity of one or more hepatobiliary enzyme. Hyperbilirubinemia and hypoalbuminemia were present in 45% and 21% of dogs, respectively. The median clinical score was 2.9, with a range of 0-8. The median histopathology activity and the fibrosis scores were 3.5 (range, 1-6) and 3.0 (range, 0-4), respectively. Rhodanine-positive copper staining was present in 15 of 17 biopsy specimens, with a median score of 2.0 (range, 0-3). Median survival was 374 days (range, 1-2645 days). A prolonged prothrombin time (P = .013) and thrombocytopenia (P = .041) were associated with survival < 2 months. The presence of anorexia (P = .049), hypoglobulinemia (P = .045), or prolonged partial thromboplastin time (P = .033) were associated with shorter overall survival times. The clinical score correlated with survival time (P = .030) and histopathologic staging (P = .049).


CONCLUSIONS
A progressive hepatopathy in Labrador Retrievers in this study was marked by chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and copper accumulation. A clinical scoring system that correlates with survival time may be useful as a noninvasive method to predict prognosis.
Shih
Julia L
JL
Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, USA.
Keating
John H
JH
Freeman
Lisa M
LM
Webster
Cynthia R L
CR
D000818:Animals; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male
D003300:Copper