Comparative analysis of diagnostic information value of ultrasound and biochemical studies in case of acute pancreatitis in dogs of small and large breeds

Abstract

The findings of ultrasound and laboratory studies in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in dogs of small and large breeds are discussed. The study was conducted to determine the information value of these methods taking into account the breed differences of the tested animals. Two groups of animals were formed with suspected attacks of acute pancreatitis. Group 1 consisted of 50 dogs of small breeds; Group 2 included 50 dogs of large breeds. All animals included in the study were of the age between 2 and 6 years and had no previously recorded chronic diseases. Another important factor for selecting dogs was going to the clinic no later than 2 days from the onset of the first symptoms of the disease. Each group underwent history taking, clinical examination, ultrasound examination, and blood sampling to determine pancreatic enzyme levels. After the manipulations, the obtained data was analyzed to calculate the information value of each research method. Analyzing the data obtained, we identified the most common symptoms in the test animals: severe pain reaction to palpation of the abdominal wall (90%/83%), lack of appetite (82%/75%), vomiting (80%/70%), and diarrhea (68%/65%). There were no obvious differences in the manifestation of symptoms of acute pancreatitis in dogs in the compared groups. Analyzing the data obtained during ultrasound diagnostics in dogs of small and large breeds, the highest sensitivity of this method was noted in Group 1 - the presence of indirect signs of acute pancreatitis was observed in 10%, and the presence of specific changes in the pancreas itself - in 62%. In large breed dogs, these figures reached 8% and 48%. In all study groups, increase of pancreatic enzyme levels was revealed compared to the control group, however, no significant differences were found between the compared groups themselves.