Determining the Normal Diameter of Cystic and Common Bile Ducts in Adult German Shepherd Dogs by Ultrasonography Method

Subject Areas : Radiology and Ultrasound

Samin Ziadlou ¹ , Siamak Alizadeh ² , Mohammadreza Hosseinchi ³

1 - Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia Branch, Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran
2 - Department of Veterinary Medicine, Naghadeh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Naghadeh, Iran
3 - Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia Branch, Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran

Received: 2024-02-04 Accepted : 2024-07-22 Published : 2025-05-05

Keywords: Common bile duct, Cystic duct, German Shepherd dog, Ultrasonography,

Abstract :

The current study aimed to evaluate the normal diameter of the cystic and common bile ducts in adult German Shepherd dogs using ultrasonography, with a 95% confidence level, to aid in interpreting results and making clinical decisions. This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 12 adult German Shepherd dogs (6 males and 6 females) with an average weight of 24.37 ± 3.65 kg and a mean age of 2.40 ± 0.495 years. Ultrasonography was performed with the dogs positioned in dorsoventral, left lateral, and right lateral recumbency during the inspiratory phase of breathing. Anatomical studies were conducted following anesthesia and during surgery for each dog. According to the ultrasonography results, the mean diameter of the cystic duct at the level of the gallbladder was 4.17 ± 0.58 mm, while the mean diameters of the common bile duct at the hepatis porta and major duodenal papilla levels were 3.23 ± 0.48 mm and 3.14 ± 0.63 mm, respectively. The diameter of the cystic duct at the gallbladder level was greater in males than in females, whereas the mean diameter of the common bile duct at the hepatis porta and major duodenal papilla levels was larger in females than in males; however, these differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The precise standards obtained in this study can be utilized to interpret findings and make clinical decisions regarding the normal and abnormal diameters of the cystic and common bile ducts in adult German Shepherd dogs. 

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