Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Medical management of feline emphysematous hepatitis—A case report
- Journal:
- Clinical Case Reports
- Year:
- 2023
- Authors:
- Corinna Palko & Samuel Durkan
- Affiliation:
- Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA · GB
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was taken to the emergency room because he had been constipated for three days, was urinating less for one day, was vomiting, and was weak in his back legs. During the exam, the vet found that he was cold, dehydrated, and unable to stand for long. An ultrasound of his abdomen showed small pockets of gas in his liver, which indicated a condition called emphysematous hepatitis (a serious liver infection), along with some fluid buildup in his belly. Tests of the fluid showed inflammation, but they couldn't find a clear cause for it, and a urine test came back negative. The family chose not to proceed with a liver biopsy or further cultures, and the changes seen on the ultrasound were thought to be due to an infection.
Abstract
Key Clinical Message Case report summary: A 9–year‐old male castrated domestic shorthair feline was presented to the emergency department with a chief complaint of constipation of 3‐day duration, decreased urination of 1‐day duration, vomiting, and hind limb weakness. Physical examination abnormalities included hypothermia, dehydration, and generalized paresis with inability to stand for a prolonged period of time. Abdominal ultrasonography showed pinpoint hyperechoic foci throughout the hepatic parenchyma, small gas foci circulating within the portal vasculature consistent with emphysematous hepatitis, and mild volume of ascites. Cytology of the ascites was consistent with inflammatory effusion. Hepatic cytology was consistent with mixed inflammation/hepatitis with no apparent cause for inflammation noted. Urine culture yielded a negative result. Surgical liver biopsy and culture were declined by the patient's family. Ultrasound changes were presumed to be most likely secondary to an ascending infection.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.7352