Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Feline Cholangitis.
- Journal:
- The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice
- Year:
- 2017
- Authors:
- Boland, Lara & Beatty, Julia
- Affiliation:
- Faculty of Veterinary Science · United Kingdom
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Cholangitis is a liver condition that can affect cats, and it comes in different forms, including neutrophilic cholangitis, lymphocytic cholangitis, and one caused by liver flukes. To diagnose it, vets usually rely on a combination of the cat's history, physical exams, lab tests, and abdominal ultrasounds, although the best way to confirm it is through liver tissue samples or bile analysis, which isn't always feasible. Cats with neutrophilic cholangitis often show symptoms like being very tired, eating less than usual, fever, and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice). In contrast, lymphocytic cholangitis may last longer and is often linked to weight loss and fluid buildup in the abdomen. Treatment details weren't specified, but the outcome for these conditions can vary based on the type and severity.
Abstract
Cholangitis is common in felines, including neutrophilic, lymphocytic, and chronic cholangitis (liver fluke). History, physical examination, laboratory testing, and abdominal ultrasound support a diagnosis. Diagnosis using hepatic histopathology and/or bile analysis is ideal but not always practical. Neutrophilic cholangitis is associated with bacterial cholecystitis, pancreatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. The typical presentation is a short illness with lethargy, inappetence, pyrexia, and jaundice. Lymphocytic cholangitis, suspected to be immune-mediated, can have a prolonged clinical course with weight loss and ascites as the predominant features. The prevalence of liver fluke infestation in cats varies worldwide and clinical manifestations are uncommonly reported.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28069287/