Global Journal of Medical Research, G: Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine, Volume 21 Issue 2

Presence of the liver disease is then usually confirmed with more specific laboratory tests that give clue on liver function (Apalkova, 2013). Although serum biochemistry is considered as important preliminary tools for proceeding toward the correct diagnosis and treatment protocol, radiography is also useful to evaluate the morphologic abnormalities and ultrasonography (USG) is an excellent non-invasive way to evaluate liver parenchyma (Kumar et al., 2012). The literature about biochemical alteration and imaging technique in liver problems is scarce. As per our knowledge, there were no previous published reports on clinical finding and laboratory alterations of liver disorders under Bangladeshi conditions. Hence, the present study was undertaken to detect hepatic problems by assessing several aspects of blood biochemical profile and using imaging techniques (X-ray and USG) in clinically suspected animals. The study was basically focused on only hepatic problems broadly not specific causes or condition in the liver. II. M aterials and M ethods a) Ethical statement The study was carried out with the permission of the director of clinics. The verbal consent from the animal’s owner was taken as they visited to the clinics for treatment purpose of the animals. The sample was collected with minimum discomfort of the animal. b) Study area, period and animals The present study was conducted through the period of October, 2020 to March, 2021 on 100 animals (50 dogs and 50 cats) that were presented at Teaching and Training Pet Hospital and Research Center of Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. Animals of sexes (male and female), different age category like young (upto 1 year), adult (<1 to 5 years) and old (<5 years) and breeds were included in the study. The animals that had signs like anorexia, polyuria (PU), polydipsia (PD), abdominal distension, weight loss, anemia, and jaundice were considered for sample collection. c) Clinical examination Each animal was subjected to a detailed clinical examination. Each animal was thoroughly evaluated for its general condition, inspection of mucous membranes, hydration status, signs of pain, and abdominal distension. Information regarding feeding history, polyuria, polydipsia and weight loss were known from the owner by face to face interview. d) Blood and data collection Blood sample (2.5 ml) was collected from cephalic vein of each animal using sterile disposable needle. Before collection, the puncture area was cleaned and disinfected with 70% alcohol. The collected blood was stored in serum vials for biochemical analysis. Data regarding age, sex and breed were collected from hospital case record sheet. e) Serum biochemistry After clotting, serum was separated by centrifugation and transferred to a dry clean vial for further evaluation. Humalyzer 3000 semi-automated chemistry system was used to determine the serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, total proteins, albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, cholesterol, and glucose. The hepatic problems were considered in those animals where the bilirubin, ALP, ALT and AST value were significantly above the reference value. f) Imaging technique (x-ray and ultrasonography) All the animals were subjected to chest and abdominal x-ray. After x-ray exposure, abdominal ultrasonography was performed following appropriate procedure. Before USG scanning, the whole ventral abdomen was shaved in each animal. Abnormal morphology (altered size, shape and structure) in x-ray and parenchymal changes in ultrasonography were helped in diagnosis of hepatic problems in some animals. g) Statistical analysis All data were stored in excel sheet 2007 and descriptive statistics were calculated in its by using excel sheet software. Frequency distributions were analyzed by using statistical software stata 2017. Significant was considered when p-value<0.05 for chi square test. The occurrences were calculated by dividing total animals with positive case and multiplied by hundred. III. R esults a) Biochemical analysis findings The standard deviation were found 2.02 mg/dl (bilirubin), 902.48 u/l (ALP), 626.66 u/l (ALT), 722.98 u/l (AST) for dog and 5.22 mg/dl (bilirubin), 564.22 u/l (ALP), 300.06 u/l (ALT), 340.00 u/l (AST) for cat. The mean values were 0.72±0.29 mg/dl (bilirubin), 333.86±127.63 u/l (ALP), 256.36±88.62 u/l (ALT), 261.62±102.24 u/l (AST) for dog and 1.81±0.74 mg/dl (bilirubin), 245.42±79.79 u/l (ALP), 180.16±42.43 u/l (ALT), 188.99±48.08 u/l (AST) for cat. The higher standard deviation value for bilirubin, ALP, ALT and AST in both dogs and cats indicates that the data above the mean value and were not clustered around the mean. The data showed that there were remarkable changes on bilirubin, ALT, ALP and AST value that indicated hepatic problems in some study animals (Table 3 and 4). Year 2021 Global Journal of Medical Research Volume XXI Issue II Version I ( D ) G © 2021 Global Journals 24 Detection of Hepatic Problem in Dogs and Cats by Biochemical Assay and Imaging Technique (X-Ray and Ultrasonography)