Diseases of the Small and Large Intestine, Liver and Pancreas in Small Animals: Second Edition

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Clinical Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2025 | Viewed by 5080

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Centro Veterinario Dott.ri Pisani-Carli-Chiodo, Gruppo Animalia, vVa P. Togliatti 8, 19034 Luni Mare, SP, Italy
Interests: small animal oncology and gastroenterology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Via Livornese, 56122 Pisa, Italy
Interests: veterinary clinical pathology; small animal internal medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to present you with the second edition of the Animals Special Issue on “Diseases of the Small and Large Intestine, Liver and Pancreas in Small Animals.”

After the first edition collected amazing manuscripts from eminent international authors in the field, we wish to continue to contribute to the sharing of scientific evidence in small animal gastroenterology.

This Special Issue welcomes a wide range of research articles related to small animal gastroenterology. We welcome papers from any field related to diseases of the intestine, liver, and pancreas in small animals, such as clinical and clinicopathological markers, interactions between the diet, microbiota, and gut, metabolomics, ultrasonography, and advanced imaging, interventional radiology, novel treatments, and comparative pathologies. Intestinal, pancreatic, and hepatic diseases present a daily challenge for clinicians worldwide; small animal gastroenterology is still one of the fastest-growing research fields with new diagnostic and prognostic markers and therapeutic strategies for various intestinal, pancreatic, and liver diseases.

Dr. Alessio Pierini
Dr. Eleonora Gori
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • small animal gastroenterology
  • intestine
  • liver
  • pancreas
  • microbiota
  • gut
  • clinicopathological markers

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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13 pages, 241 KiB  
Article
Retrospective Evaluation of the Prognostic Utility of Clinical and Laboratory Findings in Hospitalized Cats with Pancreatitis
by Yada Siriphanporn, Anuwat Wiratsudakul, Suwicha Kasemsuwan, Piyathip Chuchalermporn, Monchanok Vijarnsorn and Narudee Kashemsant
Animals 2025, 15(7), 1060; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15071060 - 6 Apr 2025
Viewed by 430
Abstract
Pancreatitis in cats ranges from mild forms with low mortality to severe cases with poor prognosis, and early identification of high-risk patients remains a challenge. The prognostic significance of hyperlactatemia and metabolic acidosis in feline pancreatitis is not well established. This study aimed [...] Read more.
Pancreatitis in cats ranges from mild forms with low mortality to severe cases with poor prognosis, and early identification of high-risk patients remains a challenge. The prognostic significance of hyperlactatemia and metabolic acidosis in feline pancreatitis is not well established. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors in hospitalized cats with pancreatitis and assess the predictive value of hyperlactatemia and metabolic acidosis. A retrospective study of 142 cats diagnosed between January 2020 and December 2023 was conducted, analyzing signalment, clinical signs, and clinicopathological findings. Diagnosis was based on clinical signs, abnormal feline pancreatic lipase assay, and abdominal sonography. Multivariate analysis identified jaundice (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.7–12.7), renal disease (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.05–5.40), hypoalbuminemia (OR, 3.91; 95% CI, 1.70–9.01), increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (OR, 4.76; 95% CI, 1.96–11.53), and neutrophil cytoplasmic toxic change (OR, 10.54; 95% CI, 4.17–26.7) as independent prognostic indicators. The combination of renal disease and jaundice increased the mortality risk 12-fold, while hypoalbuminemia and neutrophil toxic changes increased it 120-fold. However, hyperlactatemia and metabolic acidosis upon admission were not predictive of outcomes. These findings suggest that jaundice, renal disease, hypoalbuminemia, increased BUN, and neutrophil toxic changes are significant prognostic indicators in feline pancreatitis, whereas hyperlactatemia and metabolic acidosis do not predict mortality. Full article
17 pages, 9364 KiB  
Article
Computed Tomographic Findings in Dogs with Hepatic Bacterial Parenchymal Infection and Abscessation
by Luis Maté de Haro, Andrea Vila, Andrea Di Bella, Claudia Mallol, Carlo Anselmi, Jose-Daniel Barreiro-Vazquez, Danica Pollard, Raquel Salgüero, Ella Fitzgerald and Beatriz Moreno-Aguado
Animals 2024, 14(23), 3399; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14233399 - 25 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1295
Abstract
Bacterial liver parenchymal infections in dogs are rarely documented, and their imaging characteristics are scarce in the veterinary literature, especially in Computed Tomography (CT). This retrospective multicentric study aimed to describe the CT characteristics of parenchymal bacterial liver infection and abscessation in dogs [...] Read more.
Bacterial liver parenchymal infections in dogs are rarely documented, and their imaging characteristics are scarce in the veterinary literature, especially in Computed Tomography (CT). This retrospective multicentric study aimed to describe the CT characteristics of parenchymal bacterial liver infection and abscessation in dogs and compare them with the human literature. Twenty dogs met the inclusion criteria. All dogs, except one, showed discrete hepatic lesions consistent with pyogenic liver abscess (19/20). A single case showed diffuse liver changes, which was diagnosed with granulomatous bacterial hepatitis (1/20). Multifocal lesions were associated with the presence of abdominal pain (p = 0.023). CT characteristics of pyogenic liver abscesses in our study resemble those described in the human literature, with multifocal (14/19) or single (5/19), round or ovoid (19/19), hypoattenuating hepatic lesions, which are better visualised in post-contrast images. Pyogenic liver abscesses can also show features such as the “cluster sign” (8/19), transient arterial segmental enhancement (6/10), rim enhancement (6/19), and intralesional gas (4/19). Additional CT findings, such as local lymphadenomegaly (18/20), peritoneal fat stranding (14/20), and peritoneal fluid (13/20), are also commonly observed. Full article
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10 pages, 385 KiB  
Article
Fecal Bile Acids in Canine Chronic Liver Disease: Results from 46 Dogs
by Verena Habermaass, Francesco Bartoli, Eleonora Gori, Rebecca Dini, Aurora Cogozzo, Caterina Puccinelli, Alessio Pierini and Veronica Marchetti
Animals 2024, 14(21), 3051; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14213051 - 22 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1275
Abstract
The concentrations of fecal and serum bile acids (BAs) are known to be altered in human patients with chronic liver diseases (CLDs), especially those with biliary tract involvement (BTD). Scarce literature is available regarding fecal BA modifications during canine CLDs. This study aimed [...] Read more.
The concentrations of fecal and serum bile acids (BAs) are known to be altered in human patients with chronic liver diseases (CLDs), especially those with biliary tract involvement (BTD). Scarce literature is available regarding fecal BA modifications during canine CLDs. This study aimed to evaluate fecal BAs in canine CLDs according to different clinical and clinicopathological variables. Forty-six dogs were enrolled. Canine feces were analyzed by HPLC. Cholic Acid (CA), Chenodeoxycholic Acid (CDCA), Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA), Deoxycholic Acid (DCA), and Lithocholic Acid (LCA) were measured, and primary BAs (CA + CDCA), secondary BAs (UDCA + DCA + LCA), and the primary/secondary (P/S) ratio were calculated. Primary BAs (p < 0.0001), CA (p = 0.0003), CDCA (p = 0.003), the P/S ratio (p = 0.002), and total BAs (p = 0.005) were significatively higher in BTD dogs (n = 18) compared to in non-BTD dogs (n = 28). Fecal secondary BAs did not statistically differ between BTD and non-BTD dogs. Gastrointestinal clinical signs (p = 0.028) and diarrhea (p = 0.03) were significantly more prevalent in BTD dogs compared to in non-BTD dogs, supporting the hypothesis of some pathological mechanisms assimilable to bile acid diarrhea (BAD). Our results could reflect imbalances of the fecal BA metabolism in dogs with CLDs. Further studies involving gut microbiome and metabolomic assessment are needed to better understand the possible clinical implications of BA metabolism disruption and their potential role in canine CLDs. Full article
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7 pages, 188 KiB  
Communication
Allogenic Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Infusion for the Management of Acute-Onset Pancreatitis in Dogs: A Pilot Study
by Harry Cridge and Valerie Johnson
Animals 2024, 14(19), 2905; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14192905 - 9 Oct 2024
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Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have significant anti-inflammatory properties and are beneficial in rodent models of pancreatitis. The safety and efficacy of MSCs is unknown in dogs with acute pancreatitis (AP). Dogs with AP who were treated with MSCs (n = 4) were [...] Read more.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have significant anti-inflammatory properties and are beneficial in rodent models of pancreatitis. The safety and efficacy of MSCs is unknown in dogs with acute pancreatitis (AP). Dogs with AP who were treated with MSCs (n = 4) were identified prospectively for this pilot study from an academic hospital. Serum Spec cPL and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were measured on the day of MSC administration and 2 days later. The clinical severity, via the Modified Clinical Activity Index (MCAI), was also calculated. Two dogs received MSCs shortly after AP diagnosis, while the remaining dogs received MSCs due to clinically refractory disease. Changes in Spec cPL, CRP, and MCAI in the MSC-treated dogs were compared to a control population (n = 7) receiving the standard-of-care treatment for AP. No significant differences were noted between the populations for changes in Spec cPL (p = 0.79), CRP (p = 0.67), or MCAI (p = 0.91). However, subjective clinical improvements were noted within 24 h of MSC infusion in the two dogs with previously refractory disease. MSC infusions appear safe in the management of AP in dogs and may be considered in refractory disease. However, given the nature of this pilot study and its limitations, larger randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to truly evaluate the efficacy of MSC infusions in dogs with AP. Full article

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10 pages, 8296 KiB  
Case Report
Spontaneous Unusual Backflow from Duodenum to Biliary System in a Dog with Pancreatic Abscesses: A Case Study
by Robert Cristian Purdoiu, Sorin Marian Marza, Radu Lacatus, Lucia Bel, Lea Carisch and Patrick Kircher
Animals 2025, 15(8), 1089; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15081089 - 9 Apr 2025
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Abstract
Spontaneous duodenobiliary reflux is a rare condition in veterinary medicine, previously documented in only one canine case. We report a second instance in a 3-year-old neutered male Yorkshire Terrier, detected incidentally during a barium contrast study of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Multimodal imaging, [...] Read more.
Spontaneous duodenobiliary reflux is a rare condition in veterinary medicine, previously documented in only one canine case. We report a second instance in a 3-year-old neutered male Yorkshire Terrier, detected incidentally during a barium contrast study of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Multimodal imaging, including radiography, computed tomography (CT), and ultrasonography, confirmed the reflux and identified abscessing pancreatitis as its cause—a previously unreported etiology in dogs. This case expands the understanding of duodenobiliary reflux in canines, identifies abscessing pancreatitis as a novel differential, and demonstrates the diagnostic value of advanced imaging. In conclusion, abscessing pancreatitis should be considered as a potential cause of duodenobiliary reflux in dogs, and the use of multiple imaging modalities is pivotal for accurate diagnosis and management of this unusual condition. Full article
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