Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Gallbladder sludge on cat ultrasound linked to higher liver enzymes
By Harran, Nathaniel et al.·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2011·The Companion Animal Research Group, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Gallbladder sludge on ultrasound is predictive of increased liver enzymes and total bilirubin in cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats undergoing abdominal ultrasound was found to have gallbladder sludge, which is a thick fluid that can form in the gallbladder. This condition was seen in 14% of the cats and was linked to higher levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin in their blood, indicating possible liver issues. While gallbladder sludge is not very common, it could suggest underlying liver problems that may need further investigation. If your cat has been diagnosed with gallbladder sludge, it's important to discuss potential treatments or monitoring with your veterinarian.
People also search for: cat gallbladder sludge treatment · high liver enzymes in cats · cat abdominal ultrasound results
Abstract
The purposes of this retrospective study were to assess the prevalence of gallbladder sludge (GBS) in a population of cats presented for abdominal ultrasound in a teaching hospital and to determine its association with increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin (TB). Gallbladder sludge was detected in 152 (14%) of the cats undergoing abdominal ultrasound between 2004 and 2008. This population was compared to a control group of 32 cats without GBS. Alanine aminotransferase, ALP, and TB mean values were significantly higher in cats with GBS than in controls (P ≤ 0.0005) and odds for increased values in cats with GBS were 4.2 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6 to 11.0], 9.5 (95% CI: 2.2 to 41.7), and 4.1 (95% CI: 1.5 to 11.5), respectively (P ≤ 0.007). In conclusion, GBS is an uncommon ultrasonographic finding in cats that is predictive of increased liver enzymes and TB. More studies are needed to establish potential links between GBS and hepatobiliary disease in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22379201/