AKC Canine Health Foundation - 36

Evidence-based Approaches to Treatment of Dogs with
Gallbladder Mucocele Formation
Jody Gookin, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Small Animal Internal
Medicine)
North Carolina State University
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Gookin received her DVM from the University of California at
Davis and a Ph.D. in Gastrointestinal Physiology at North
Carolina State University. She completed the Small Animal
Internal Medicine Clinician Scientist Training Program at North
Carolina State University and is a Diplomate of the American
College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. She is currently a Distinguished Professor in the
Department of Clinical Sciences at North Carolina State University where her efforts are
devoted to research, clinical service and teaching. Her primary research interests are focused
on understanding the role of the intestinal epithelium in the pathogenesis of gallbladder and
intestinal diseases of dogs and cats.
PRESENTATION ABSTRACT
Emerging only ~20 years ago, gallbladder mucocele formation is now the most common
extrahepatic biliary disease of dogs yet its cause remains unknown. The disorder afflicts older
aged dogs and has a strong breed predisposition. The hallmark feature of mucocele formation is
the accumulation of abnormally thick mucus within the gallbladder. Over time mucus
accumulation leads to rupture, bacterial infection, infarction, or obstruction of the gallbladder
oftentimes necessitating emergency surgery. While the long-term outcome of surgery is
favorable, in the short-term morbidity and mortality remain high. Approaches to medical
management of gallbladder mucocele formation are anecdotal and limited by our lack of
understanding of why mucoceles form. The long-term goal of our research is to determine the
cause of gallbladder mucocele formation in dogs and thereby identify evidence-based
approaches to prevention, amelioration, or resolution of mucocele formation. In this session we
will share how our mechanistic research investigating the pathogenesis of this unique disease is
leading to development of new treatment approaches and a clinical trial to examine the impact
of medical management on resolution of gallbladder mucocele formation in dogs.
CURRENT CHF GRANTS
02544: Medical Resolution of Gallbladder Mucocele Formation in Dogs
02703: Resolving the Major Dyslipidemia Phenotypes and Genetic Risk Factors for Familial
Hyperlipidemia in Miniature Schnauzers
03143: Causative Role of Xenobiotic Exposures in Canine Gallbladder Mucocele Formation
2023 National Parent Club Canine Health Conference
Presented by the AKC Canine Health Foundation and Nestlé Purina PetCare

AKC Canine Health Foundation

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