IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-A CASE OF SPONTANEOUS HEPATIC PORTAL VEIN GAS IN AN 11-MONTH-OLD WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER.

An 11-month-old female entire West Highland White Terrier presented for chronic diarrhea with acute deterioration in demeanor and progression to systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Transcutaneous abdominal ultrasonography identified colonic ulceration and secondary mucosal gas. Suspected hepatic portal vein gas and hepatic parenchyma gas were also visualized. The patient was stabilized and managed for ulcerative colitis. Based on endoscopic biopsies, the dog was diagnosed with severe, chronic, pyogranulomatous colitis. On repeat ultrasonographic evaluation the portal vein and hepatic gas had resolved but the patient deteriorated and was ultimately euthanized due to sepsis.