Clinical diagnostics of hepatopathies in small mammals: Evaluation of importance of individual methods

Abstract

Until recently the possibilities of intravital diagnosis of liver function affection in small mammals have only been utilised to a minimum extent. The necessity of early hepatic disease diagnostics in these patients is highly topical. The presented paper summarises diagnostic procedures and will show the evaluation of their practical use in small mammals. Anamnestic data evaluation, palpation of the liver and collection of fluid from the abdominal cavity for the purpose of laboratory examination play an irreplaceable role in the diagnostics of liver diseases in small mammals. Biochemical blood indices analysis includes enzymes indicating hepatocellular damage (ALT, AST, LDH), cholestasis or enzymatic activity alteration (ALP, GGT), values monitoring the liver synthesis (albumin, glucose, urea, coagulation factors, bilirubin, bile acids, ammonium). Cytology and histology of biopsy specimens make it possible to evaluate the liver state precisely. In small mammals the size of a rabbit, ferret, adult guinea pig or rat utilisable methods for the liver biopsy include: fine needle aspiration biopsy, percutaneous biopsy, biopsy under the guidance of ultrasonography, biopsy under endoscopic or otoscopic guidance and biopsy during exploratory laparotomy. In patients the size of a hamster, Djungarian hamster or mouse the indication of these methods are questionable they can casuse serious hazards to the animals life. In spite of this, modifications of liver biopsy sampling are of conclusive importance in the diagnostics of hepathopathies in small mammals. In minute small mammals we can use a modification of the percutaneous biopsy using a key-hole technique and biopsy during laparotomy.