Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Gallbladder sludge in cats linked to liver inflammation and bile
By Lee, King Long Hannah et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2025·Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Gallbladder sludge in cats: associations with bile culture, liver enzymes and cholangiohepatitis in 166 cases.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old domestic shorthair cat was diagnosed with gallbladder sludge after showing symptoms related to liver issues. The vet performed an ultrasound and found sludge in the gallbladder but noted that it didn't necessarily indicate an infection or inflammation in the bile. Despite the presence of gallbladder sludge, the cat's liver enzyme levels were mostly normal, and there was no significant link to other conditions like pancreatitis. The findings suggest that gallbladder sludge alone shouldn't be the only factor in deciding on treatment, and vets should consider other diagnostic results when assessing liver health.
People also search for: cat gallbladder sludge treatment · cat liver enzyme levels · signs of cat pancreatitis
Abstract
ObjectivesTo determine the clinical relevance of gallbladder sludge (GBS) in cats by assessing its association with neutrophilic cholangitis/cholangiohepatitis (NC/CH), bile culture results, serum biochemical abnormalities and ultrasonographic findings suggestive of pancreatitis or small intestinal thickening.MethodsA retrospective review was performed on 166 cats that underwent percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis. Data collected included ultrasonographic presence of GBS, bile culture and cytology results, liver enzyme activities, total bilirubin concentration and final diagnosis of NC/CH. Statistical associations were evaluated using Fisher's exact test and odds ratios (ORs).ResultsGBS was identified in 107/166 (64%) cats. There was no significant association between GBS and positive bile culture, bactibilia or NC/CH (>0.84), nor with elevated alkaline phosphatase activity or total bilirubin (>0.8). Cats with GBS were more likely to have normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity compared with GBS-negative cats (OR 0.42; = 0.025). Among GBS-positive cats, the presence of concurrent pancreatitis or intestinal thickening did not significantly increase the likelihood of NC/CH. A non-significant association was observed between elevated ALT activity and NC/CH in GBS-positive cats (OR 2.53; = 0.135).Conclusions and relevanceGBS is a frequent ultrasonographic finding in cats but does not reliably predict biliary infection or inflammation. These findings suggest that GBS should not be used in isolation to guide antimicrobial therapy or bile sampling. Clinical judgment and supporting diagnostic data remain essential in evaluating suspected hepatobiliary disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41170742/