Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Biliary tree and gallbladder disease in cats - causes and treatment
By Otte, Corma Ma et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2017·Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Netherlands·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Feline biliary tree and gallbladder disease: Aetiology, diagnosis and treatment.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old domestic shorthair cat was brought in for vomiting, lack of appetite, and lethargy. The veterinarian suspected biliary disease, which is more common in cats than liver issues. To diagnose the problem, they used ultrasound and took samples of bile for testing. The cat was treated with antibiotics and medications to support liver function, which helped improve its condition. After treatment, the cat started eating again and showed more energy.
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Abstract
Practical relevance Diseases of the biliary tree and gallbladder are more common in cats than diseases of the liver parenchyma. The parenchyma is usually affected secondarily to systemic illnesses, while the biliary system is the prime target for infectious agents (eg, bacteria and flukes) and non-infectious conditions (eg, neoplasia and cysts). Clinical approaches Cats with biliary disease are evaluated because of common feline clinical signs such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting and lethargy. Icterus may or may not be obvious. Biopsies for histological evaluation, and bile aspirates for culture and cytological evaluation are helpful diagnostically. Antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs have been used successfully. Hepatosupportive drugs may help in liquefying thick bile and protecting hepatic tissue from damage. Ultrasound is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that may help in identifying dilated bile ducts, liver cysts and choleliths. It is also used to guide percutaneous bile aspiration. Audience This review, written for all veterinarians who treat cats, describes the various conditions that can affect the feline biliary tree and gallbladder. Treatment options are discussed, and brief summaries provided of surgical techniques and diagnostic approaches. Evidence base The veterinary literature pertaining to feline biliary disease is comprehensively reviewed. When appropriate, data on dogs and humans has been included to provide background information. Based on the available literature, more research into feline biliary diseases is needed.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28438089/