Nutritional approach in a growing Jack Russell terrier with gall bladder agenesis

Abstract An asymptomatic male Jack Russell terrier diagnosed at the age of 18 weeks with congenital gall bladder agenesis, confirmed by computed tomography scan, after finding abnormally high values for liver enzymes in a routine blood count. Treatment with liver‐protective agents S‐adenosylmethionine and ursodeoxycholic acid was initiated. At 6 months of age, the dog was referred for nutritional consultation, with a diet based on a commercial dry puppy food containing approximately 22% fat in dry matter. We formulated a mixed diet based on a commercial liver diet, whey protein and low‐fat quark. Achieving a lower fat content (13%–13.4% dry matter) to support the nutritional requirements of a growing dog with potentially impaired fat absorption due to the lack of a gall bladder. To our knowledge, this is the first case report focusing on dietetics in canine congenital gall bladder agenesis, highlighting the need for a hepatic diet.