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

b) Imaging techniques (x-ray and ultrasonography) findings In x-ray and ultrasonography, abnormal structural morphology (misshaped and enlarged liver), abdominal fluid and abnormal parenchymal lesion (hypoechoic foci and thickened capsule with hyperechoic foci) were found in some dogs and cats respectively (Figure 1 and 2). c) Occurrence and frequency distribution of hepatic problem in dogs and cats The occurrence of hepatic problems in dogs and cats were recorded 18% (9/50) and 12% (6/50) through biochemical analysis respectively. In imaging techniques (x-ray and USG) it was found 6% (3/50) and 4% (2/50) hepatic problems in dogs and cats respectively. The occurrence of hepatic problems was higher in older dogs (50%) and cats (50%) followed by young (0% in dog and 20% in cat) and adult (0% in dog and 5.13% in cat) which is statistically significant (P<0.05) (Table 3 and 4). In case of sex, male dogs (22.22%) and cats (20.0%) were more susceptible for hepatic problems than female (13.04% in dogs and 3.85% in cat) (Table 3 and 4). German shepherd dog breeds (42.86%) were more prone to hepatic problems followed by Lash apsu (28.57%), Mixed breed (20.0%) and Local dogs (12.50%) in dogs (Table 3). Local cat breeds (19.05%) were highly susceptible followed by Persian cat (10.53%), Mixed (0%) and Exotic cat (0%) for hepatic problems (Table 4). The hepatic problems were considered in those animals where the bilirubin, ALP, ALT and AST value were significantly above the reference value. Additionally abnormal morphology (altered size, shape and structure) in x-ray and parenchymal changes in ultrasonography were also helped in some animals. IV. D iscussion Hepatic enzyme assay are performed widely as a popular measurement of the condition of the liver (Watson et al., 2009). These are alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Among these ALT and AST are present higher concentrations in cytosol of hepatocytes and elevated if there is hepatocyte damage. The ALP and GGT enzymes are epithelial, membrane-bound produced from biliary tract in response to certain stimuli, such as cholestasis (Watson et al., 2009). Increased level of these liver enzymes may be a sign of damage to the liver (Center et al., 2007). In our study animal, standard deviation values (902.48 u/l ALP, 626.66 u/l ALT, 722.98 u/l AST in dog and 564.22 u/l ALP, 300.06 u/l ALT, 340.00 u/l AST in cat) of these enzymes were significantly larger than mean values (333.86±127.63 u/l ALP, 256.36±88.62 u/l ALT, 261.62±102.24 u/l AST in dog and 245.42±79.79 u/l ALP, 180.16±42.43 u/l ALT, 188.99±48.08 u/l AST in cat) indicate remarkably elevation of these enzymes resulting from hepatic problems. These findings were supported by the previous literature. Hyperbilirubinemia is found when the hepatic problem becomes severe stage (Watson et al., 2009). As bilirubin may be normally found in the urine of dogs, very high levels suggest a liver disease. In case of cats bilirubinuria is a clinically important finding (Watson et al., 2009). Standard deviations of bilirubin (2.02 mg/dl in dog and 5.22 mg/dl in cat) were also higher than the mean value (0.72±0.29 mg/dl in dog and 1.81±0.74 mg/dl in cat) in case of both dogs and cats that represents elevation in some animals. As there were changes in the hepatic enzymes value, it might be related to the hepatobilliary problems in both dogs and cats. Decreased albumin and total protein levels may be related to a liver disease, since liver is the only organ producing albumin (Apalkova et al., 2013). Standard deviations of albumin and total protein were below the mean values indicates data points were closed to the average in our study. Liver also metabolizes ammonia to urea, so blood urea nitrogen concentration may fall (Watson et al., 2009). Liver play role in metabolism, its dysfunction may affect numerous other processes and thus change various laboratory findings, such as glucose and cholesterol levels (Watson et al., 2009). Standard deviations value of albumin, total protein, BUN, glucose and cholesterol were below the mean values indicate data points were closed to the average in our study. These findings were not lined with the previous study. These variations may be due to initial stage of hepatic problems or changes of these values were not significant in all hepatic problems diagnosed animal. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) is the most useful technique for detecting a hepatobiliary disease (Guillot et al., 2009, Feeney et al., 2008). It shows the changes in the parenchymal structure as variation in echogenicity. This helps comparing hepatic tissue to other soft tissues, as well as determining heterogeneous structures within the hepatic parenchyma (Watson et al., 2009). Similarly, some parenchymal lesions like thickened hepatic capsule and hypoechoic lesion (cyst or tumor) in advance stage of hepatic problems were found in this study. Radiography usually helps in liver diagnostics mostly to detect the size and shape of the liver and possibly to point the lesions more specifically (Watson et al., 2009). Hepatomegaly may be seen as caudal dislocation of gastric axis and pylorus in lateral view of the abdomen (Apalkova et al., 2013). Microhepatia is not as clearly seen, but may be visible as a more perpendicular angle of gastric fundus to the spine in the right lateral projection (Watson et al., 2009). Focal enlargement of one hepatic lobe is shown as dislocation of the organs nearest to the lobe. Agreed with these statements there were some abnormal morphologies Year 2021 Global Journal of Medical Research Volume XXI Issue II Version I ( D ) G © 2021 Global Journals 25 Detection of Hepatic Problem in Dogs and Cats by Biochemical Assay and Imaging Technique (X-Ray and Ultrasonography)