Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with emphysematous hepatitis treated medically
By Corinna Palko & Samuel Durkan·Published in Clinical Case Reports·2023·Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA, GB·View original on DOAJ →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Medical management of feline emphysematous hepatitis—A case report
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was taken to the emergency vet for constipation lasting three days, decreased urination for one day, vomiting, and weakness in his back legs. The vet found that he was dehydrated and unable to stand, and an ultrasound revealed gas in his liver, indicating a serious condition called emphysematous hepatitis. Although the family declined surgery for a liver biopsy, the vet suspected the liver issues were due to an infection. The cat received medical management for his symptoms, but the specific outcome of his treatment wasn't detailed.
People also search for: cat vomiting and weakness · cat liver disease treatment · why is my cat constipated and not urinating
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.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.7352