Gallbladder removal

Many experienced dog owners are aware that our four-legged friends can suffer from the same diseases as humans. Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) is no exception. When suffering from this disease, the pet becomes lethargic, tires easily, loses appetite, runs a fever, and develops yellowing of the eyeballs and gums; they are also troubled by vomiting, often with traces of bile. If cholecystitis is neglected and left untreated, it can lead to peritonitis (acute inflammation of the abdominal lining) and the pet’s death. Therefore, it is crucial to notice the symptoms early and seek professional help. In many cases, medication may be sufficient, but more serious situations occur where surgical intervention—gallbladder removal surgery—is required.

Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is a surgical procedure during which the dog’s gallbladder is removed. This operation is necessary when medical treatment is ineffective or when cholecystitis constantly recurs.

After the surgery, a low-fat diet is essential; sutures are removed 10–14 days post-operation, and physical activity is restricted for 4 weeks. A cholecystectomy is by no means a “sentence”—it simply requires adaptation.

At our clinic, your pet will undergo all necessary blood tests and an abdominal ultrasound, during which organ changes (altered organ size, growths, cholecystitis, etc.) can be observed, making it easy to establish a diagnosis.