Gall bladder mucocoeles (GBM) are a leading cause of biliary disease in the dog. Predisposed breeds include Shetland Sheepdogs, Cocker Spaniels, Chihuahuas and Miniature Schnauzers. Border Terriers (BT) have not previously been described as being predisposed, which may reflect geographic differences in popularity.

A high incidence of GBM was noted in BTs in our hospital, suggesting a breed predisposition. Retrospective evaluation of the medical records between January 2010 and April 2017 was performed to identify all dogs with an ultrasonographic diagnosis of GBM; 27965 dogs >2 years of age were seen over the study period. Of these, 382 (1.4%) were BTs. Thirty-seven dogs (18 BTs and 19 non-BTs including 2 Labrador retrievers, 2 Affenpinschers, 2 Shetland sheepdogs, 2 Miniature Schnauzers and 11 other individual breeds) were diagnosed with a GBM based on ultrasound alone (9) or ultrasound with histopathologic confirmation (28).

Odds ratio (OR) calculation was performed to evaluate predisposition. BTs with GBM were compared to non-BTs with GBM with respect to signalment (age, sex, neuter status), haematologic and biochemical measures and outcome data.

The OR for BTs to present with a GBM was 72 (95% confidence interval 37–138). There was no significant difference in gender or neuter status between BTs with GBM and the wider hospital population. Of the dogs with GBM, BTs were significantly older than non-BTs (median 10 y 10 m [range 5 y 11 m to 13 y 11 m] vs. 8 y 9 m [range 4 y 3 m to 13 y] [p=0.032]). There was no significant difference in haematologic or biochemical parameters between BTs and non-BTs.

Six out of 19 of the non-BTs and 3/18 of the BTs were managed without surgery. Two BTs and 5 non-BTs had 1 or 2 (2 non-BTs) concomitant endocrinopathies (diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism) at presentation; post-cholecystectomy 2 BTs were diagnosed with one endocrinopathy and 1 BT with diabetes mellitus and hyperadrenocorticism. Median survival times could not be calculated for either of the groups (<50% mortality). There was no significant difference in survival rate between groups with 11/19 non-BTs and 11/18 BTs still alive at time of writing.

On the basis of this single-centre study, BTs may have a breed predisposition to GBM. It would be interesting to see if this data is replicated in other European hospitals. Further study of BTs is warranted to identify factors influencing this predisposition and possible preventative measures.

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