Spontaneous Unusual Backflow from Duodenum to Biliary System in a Dog with Pancreatic Abscesses: A Case Study

Abstract

Spontaneous duodenobiliary reflux is a rare condition in veterinary medicine, previously documented in only one canine case. We report a second instance in a 3-year-old neutered male Yorkshire Terrier, detected incidentally during a barium contrast study of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Multimodal imaging, including radiography, computed tomography (CT), and ultrasonography, confirmed the reflux and identified abscessing pancreatitis as its cause—a previously unreported etiology in dogs. This case expands the understanding of duodenobiliary reflux in canines, identifies abscessing pancreatitis as a novel differential, and demonstrates the diagnostic value of advanced imaging. In conclusion, abscessing pancreatitis should be considered as a potential cause of duodenobiliary reflux in dogs, and the use of multiple imaging modalities is pivotal for accurate diagnosis and management of this unusual condition.