Which species has no gallbladder?

The correct answer is equines. Horses, as members of the equine family, lack a gallbladder, which is a small organ that stores bile produced by the liver. This absence of a gallbladder is significant because it influences how their digestive system processes food. Instead of storing bile, horses continuously secrete bile directly from the liver into the intestines, which is crucial for their unique digestive process, particularly because they have a high-fiber diet consisting mainly of forages.

Understanding this anatomical and physiological difference among species is crucial for veterinary professionals when considering dietary needs and pharmacological interventions. In contrast, canines, felines, and ruminants all have gallbladders, which serve to concentrate and store bile, allowing for more efficient digestion, especially of fats. This distinction in architecture and function of the digestive system has direct implications for clinical practice in veterinary medicine.