Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

Severe hepatic lipidosis in a dog: a case report

Document Type : Clinical Report

Authors

Farzin Abbasi 1
Alireza Jafarbeglou 1
Siamak Asri-Rezaei 2
Seyede Soraya Mahmoudi 3
Farshid Davoodi 4
Abbas Raisi 5

1 DVM Graduate, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

2 Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

3 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

4 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

5 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2025.2048675.4588
Abstract
Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver) is a rare condition in dogs, primarily caused by improper feeding and care practices. It involves the accumulation of triacylglycerols in hepatocytes due to various toxic factors and dietary carbohydrate deficiencies. This case report describes the clinical, hematological, and pathological findings of an abandoned 8-year-old dog suffering from hepatic lipidosis that was referred to an animal shelter. The dog was unconscious, immobile, depressed, and severely obese. Pronounced abdominal distension and icteric mucous membranes were immediately noticeable during the initial examination. A blood sample was collected, and the case was referred to a veterinary hospital for diagnostic imaging. Unfortunately, before the referral could be completed, the dog suddenly died. Immediately following the death, a postmortem necropsy was performed to determine the cause. Necropsy revealed an extremely enlarged liver with a yellowish discoloration and abnormal kidneys with nodular lesions. Based on these findings, fatty liver was strongly suspected. Complete blood count and biochemical parameters, including triglycerides, cholesterol, aspartate transferase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase, were subsequently evaluated. Complete blood count results indicated leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and an increase in red cell distribution width. Biochemical analyses revealed hypertriglyceridemia and elevated levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transferase, and alkaline phosphatase. Histopathological examination confirmed severe fatty degeneration in the liver, alongside marked degenerative and necrotic changes in the kidneys. The findings of the present study contribute to the limited data on canine hepatic lipidosis and underscore the necessity of raising awareness about its clinical presentation, diagnostic markers, and histopathological characteristics.

Keywords

Dog
Fatty liver
Hepatic lipidosis
Necropsy

Subjects

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Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 16, Issue 12
December 2025
Pages 719-723

  • Receive Date 22 December 2024
  • Revise Date 16 July 2025
  • Accept Date 27 July 2025

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