liver calcification

Re: liver calcification

Frances Barr — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:30:39 GMT

I wouldn't necessarily get worried about the liver calcification - speckled or branching calcification in sometimes seen (on XR or US) in the liver of dogs as an incidental finding. I don't know why it happens! I've heard a variety of explanations offered, including parasitic migration or previous hepatic insult. But unless there's other evidence to support a liver problem or you see soft tissue calcification elsewhere, it may not be related to whatever is making the dog dull.

Re: liver calcification

Lorna McHardy — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 17:27:10 GMT

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]

Ive got a cat at the moment with radiographic nephrocalcinosis but normal renal parameters and clinical normality so I wouldnt rule out the possibility that it may be a red herring? Its had it for about a year now and remained normal.

[/quote]

I'm definitely not ruling that out; I've got an open mind at the moment! Thing is, this dog is ill from something - although she appears to be responding, albeit slowly, to what is essentially symptomatic treatment - and ultrasound appears to contradict the acute pancreatitis hypothesis. So I'm wondering.

Re: liver calcification

Tim Cheyne — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 16:09:37 GMT

My case was many years ago when high-potency Vitamin D plus calcium had just entered the market (might have been called 'Calci-fort' or similar). X-rays could have been done but were not; ultra-sound was not then available. Breeder worked on the premise that if one teaspoon did good, four teaspoons would do four times as much good. At autopsy white rice grain-like lesions were seen beneath the liver and kidney capsules. Histopathology showed widespread vascular calcification (mostly intima of arteries) in all organs examined.

Half a litter of Dobermanns died but the flip side was that the referring vet took over the rest and hand-reared them to become strong healthy pups by four months of age. Did not hear any more.

Tim.

Re: liver calcification

Mark Rowland — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:59:24 GMT

Re: liver calcification

Lorna McHardy — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:54:53 GMT

With this owner, it's just possible. I'll ask!

Re: liver calcification

Tim Cheyne — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:49:56 GMT

Any possibility that, for some reason, the owner is supplementing the diet with high doses of vitamin D? I have seen one case of rapid vascular calcification due to vitamin D in very young pups but not in middle-aged dogs; though, to be honest, I have never had reason to look for it.

Tim.