Free summer dental checkup ends up saving 9-year-old dog’s life after vets spot a ‘silent killer’ disease
A perfectly healthy-seeming dog had a close call with death after vets identified a killer disease during a free dental checkup. Eddie, a Border Terrier, was rushed to the hospital for an emergency surgery to remove his gallbladder just in time. Fortunately, Eddie’s owner had noticed an anomaly in the pup’s dental health and brought him in for a free dental checkup, ‘Summer Smiles’ at All Creatures Vets in Warrington. The vets eventually revealed to the owner that their dog was suffering from a life-threatening disease, often referred to as a “silent killer” because of its hideous nature.
The dog owner had originally noticed a lump on Eddie’s gum that urged him to consult a vet. The nine-year-old pup was diagnosed with dental disease and required bloodwork to be done. Vet Simon Gillingham informed the owner about Eddie’s health and took his blood samples to guide treatment, as reported by Vet Times. The test reports revealed that Eddie's liver markers had shot up, prompting the expert to scan his liver for additional symptoms. It did not take long for the vet to diagnose Eddie with a mucocele, or the “silent killer.” Mucocele gravely affects the gallbladder and can remain dormant for long durations without revealing any symptoms.
The vets decided to remove the pup’s gallbladder during a “risky and challenging” operation. Eddie was taken to Rees Veterinary Centre, a larger sister branch of All Creatures, where Dr. Gillingham teamed up with fellow vet Kathryn Rogerson and vet nurse Simone McIntyre. The demanding surgery lasted about three hours and was ultimately successful, allowing Eddie to regain mobility only hours after the procedure. However, the veterinary surgeons revealed that Eddie’s gallbladder was alarmingly ulcerated and at the brink of rupture. “When this disease strikes, it can quickly rupture or block the gallbladder, causing serious illness and a high risk of death,” the vet said.
Though Eddie’s surgery went well, this is not the case for all patients, as the procedure carries a “high risk to life.” Eddie, nevertheless, was a lucky pup and has made a full recovery. The vets emphasized how a free dental summer checkup saved his life, further underscoring the importance of regular health screenings. According to MSD Veterinary Manual, canine gallbladder mucocele (GBM) causes the accumulation of tenacious pale yellow mucin-laden bile, which may extend into hepatic, cystic, and common bile ducts. The health complication may ultimately lead to bile duct obstruction, necrosis, infection, and other complications. The root cause of the disease is still unknown and can stem from a combination of factors.
The disease is more common in dogs than in cats because the latter have fewer mucus glands. Symptoms of GBM can include jaundice, abdominal pain, tachypnea, and fever. The mortality rate for dogs undergoing gallbladder removal surgery is about 25%, according to Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips. Therefore, dogs suffering from the disease may die, often due to organ ruptures and duct obstruction.