Cholelithiasis and hyperthyroidism in a cat

Prevalence and clinical relevance of cholelithiasis in cats: A multicenter retrospective study of 98 cases

BACKGROUND

Cholelithiasis is an uncommon and mainly incidental finding in dogs; current literature on this topic is scarce in cats.

HYPOTHESIS

Report prevalence, clinical presentation, management, and outcome of cholelithiasis in cats.

ANIMALS

Ninety-eight cats with cholelithiasis.

METHODS

Retrospective multicenter case series. Electronic databases from 3 hospitals were searched for cats diagnosed with cholelithiasis by ultrasonography (US). Cholelithiasis was classified as incidental (IC) or symptomatic (SC) depending on clinicopathological signs, biliary tract US appearance, and presence of another disease potentially explaining the clinical presentation. Multivariate analysis was used to investigate factors associated with clinical expression of cholelithiasis and, within the SC group, survival.

RESULTS

The observed prevalence of cholelithiasis was 0.99% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79%-1.19%) among cats that underwent abdominal US. Cholelithiasis was classified as IC in 41% and SC in 59%. Choleliths found in multiple locations within the biliary tract (odds ratio [OR], 8.11; 95% CI, 2.32-34.15; P = .001) or associated with US signs of obstruction (OR, 18.47; 95% CI, 2.13-2413.34; P = .004) were significantly associated with SC. Concurrent hepatobiliary diseases were suspected or confirmed in 83% of cases with SC. Forty-three cats (74%) with SC survived to discharge. Biliary tract obstruction (BTO) was negatively associated with survival (OR, 13.87; 95% CI, 1.54-124.76; P = .001). None of the cats with IC that had available follow-up (47%) developed clinicopathological signs related to cholelithiasis.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Cholelithiasis is uncommon and can be asymptomatic in cats. Symptomatic cholelithiasis frequently is associated with another hepatobiliary disease or BTO or both. Biliary tract obstruction is associated with poorer outcome.

Surgical Management Of Feline Biliary Tract Disease: Decision-making and techniques

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE

Diseases of the hepatobiliary system are not uncommon in first-opinion practice. The anatomy of the feline hepatobiliary tract differs from that of dogs and may predispose cats to inflammatory hepatobiliary disease. Case management can be challenging, and the prognosis is variable and dependent on the underlying disease process.

CLINICAL CHALLENGES

Biliary tract disease in the cat has non-specific clinical signs that overlap with those of diseases of other body systems. Diagnostic tests of the hepatobiliary system are widely available, but interpretation of results can be challenging. Deciding on medical or surgical management can also be challenging; for example, various degrees of cholestasis may be seen with different diseases and disease severities, and will influence the decision to manage the patient medically or surgically. Surgery is indicated in cases of bile peritonitis, severe cholestasis, focal neoplasia or disease that is refractory to medical management. Intensive perioperative and postoperative management, with 24 h hospitalisation facilities, is essential.

AUDIENCE

This review article is written for the small animal general/primary care practitioner, with an emphasis on decision-making in the surgical management of feline hepatobiliary disease.

EVIDENCE BASE

Evidence available in the published literature is reviewed and presented, and the inherent limitations are discussed.

Clinical features, concurrent disorders, and survival time in cats with suppurative cholangitis-cholangiohepatitis syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To characterize clinical features, comorbidities, frequency of bacterial isolation, and survival time in cats with suppurative cholangitis-cholangiohepatitis syndrome (S-CCHS).

ANIMALS

168 client-owned cats with S-CCHS.

PROCEDURES

Data were prospectively (1980 to 2019) collected regarding clinical features, comorbidities, bacterial infection, illness duration, and treatments. Variables were evaluated for associations with survival time.

RESULTS

Median age of cats was 10.0 years, with no breed or sex predilection observed. Common clinical features included hyporexia (82%), hyperbilirubinemia (80%), lethargy (80%), vomiting (80%), jaundice (67%), weight loss (54%), and hypoalbuminemia (50%). Comorbidities included extrahepatic bile duct obstruction (53%), cholelithiasis (42%), cholecystitis (40%), and ductal plate malformation (44%) as well as biopsy-confirmed inflammatory bowel disease (60/68 [88%]) and pancreatitis (41/44 [93%]). Bacterial cultures were commonly positive (69%) despite prebiopsy antimicrobial administration in most cats. Of surgically confirmed choleliths, diagnostic imaging identified only 58%. Among 55 cats with "idiopathic pancreatitis," 28 (51%) were documented to have transiting choleliths, and 20 had pancreatic biopsies confirming pancreatitis. Cholelithiasis (with or without bile duct obstruction) and cholecystectomy were associated with survival advantages. Survival disadvantages were found for leukocytosis, ≥ 2-fold increased alkaline phosphatase, and hyperbilirubinemia. Cholecystoenterostomy had no survival impact. Cats with ductal plate malformations were significantly younger at diagnosis and death than other cats. Chronic treatments with antimicrobials, S-adenosylmethionine, and ursodeoxycholic acid were common postbiopsy.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

S-CCHS in cats was associated with bacterial infection and various comorbidities and may be confused with pancreatitis. Surgically correctable morbidities (ie, cholecystitis, cholecystocholelithiasis) and cholecystectomy provided a significant survival advantage.

Cholecystectomy in 23 cats (2005-2021)

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical presentation, treatments, and long-term outcomes following cholecystectomy in cats.

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical retrospective study.

ANIMALS

Twenty-three client-owned cats.

METHODS

Medical records of all cats undergoing cholecystectomy between 2005 and 2021 at a single referral hospital were retrospectively reviewed. No cats were excluded. An owner questionnaire assessed long-term outcomes.

RESULTS

Vomiting, jaundice, and abdominal pain were the most common clinical signs; median duration of signs was 4 days (range 1-21). Cholelithiasis was the major indication for cholecystectomy followed by cholecystitis. Intraoperative hypotension and postoperative anemia were commonly encountered. Nine cats required a postoperative blood product transfusion. Cardiopulmonary arrest and death occurred in five cats. Eighteen cats (78.3%) survived to discharge. Long-term follow up (>60 days) was available for 16 cats at a median of 1003 days (range 81-4995). Fifteen cats survived over 6 months with eight cats (44.4%) surviving over 3 years. The most common short-term and long-term postoperative complication was vomiting. Owners assessed postoperative outcome as excellent in all cats and quality of life as excellent or good.

CONCLUSION

The most common indication for cholecystectomy was cholelithiasis. Perioperative complications were commonly encountered. Perioperative mortality rate was 21.7%. Long-term owner evaluation of clinical outcome was considered excellent.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Cats undergoing cholecystectomy for non-neoplastic causes can have a favorable prognosis for recovery and quality of life. Concurrent extrahepatic biliary duct obstruction is not a contraindication for cholecystectomy provided that patency of the common bile duct is restored.

Feline biliary tree and gallbladder disease: Aetiology, diagnosis and treatment

Practical relevance Diseases of the biliary tree and gallbladder are more common in cats than diseases of the liver parenchyma. The parenchyma is usually affected secondarily to systemic illnesses, while the biliary system is the prime target for infectious agents (eg, bacteria and flukes) and non-infectious conditions (eg, neoplasia and cysts). Clinical approaches Cats with biliary disease are evaluated because of common feline clinical signs such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting and lethargy. Icterus may or may not be obvious. Biopsies for histological evaluation, and bile aspirates for culture and cytological evaluation are helpful diagnostically. Antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs have been used successfully. Hepatosupportive drugs may help in liquefying thick bile and protecting hepatic tissue from damage. Ultrasound is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that may help in identifying dilated bile ducts, liver cysts and choleliths. It is also used to guide percutaneous bile aspiration. Audience This review, written for all veterinarians who treat cats, describes the various conditions that can affect the feline biliary tree and gallbladder. Treatment options are discussed, and brief summaries provided of surgical techniques and diagnostic approaches. Evidence base The veterinary literature pertaining to feline biliary disease is comprehensively reviewed. When appropriate, data on dogs and humans has been included to provide background information. Based on the available literature, more research into feline biliary diseases is needed.

Treatment and long-term follow-up of extrahepatic biliary obstruction with bilirubin cholelithiasis in a Somali cat with pyruvate kinase deficiency

A 2-year-old female neutered Somali cat was presented with vomiting and acute onset jaundice 1 year after diagnosis of pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency. Diagnostic investigations revealed a moderate regenerative haemolytic anaemia, severe hyperbilirubinaemia and elevated liver enzymes. Ultrasonography revealed marked distension of the gall bladder and common bile duct (CBD), consistent with extrahepatic biliary obstruction (EHBO). At cholecystotomy, the gall bladder contained purulent material, and two obstructive choleliths were removed from the CBD by choledochotomy. The cat recovered from surgery uneventfully, and serum liver enzymes and bilirubin normalised within 10 days. Postoperative treatment consisted of cephalexin, metronidazole and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Bacterial culture of the gall bladder contents yielded a pure growth of an Actinomyces species. Cholelith analysis revealed that they consisted of 100% bilirubin. Antibiotic treatment was stopped 4 weeks after surgery but UDCA was continued indefinitely. The cat remains clinically well with no recurrence of cholelithiasis 20 months after initial presentation. This is the first report of successful treatment and long-term follow-up of a cat with EHBO due to bilirubin cholelithiasis in association with PK deficiency-induced chronic haemolysis.

Duplex gall bladder associated with choledocholithiasis, cholecystitis, gall bladder rupture and septic peritonitis in a cat

A 10-year-old cat was presented with a history of inappetence, pyrexia and weight loss. Clinical investigations showed anaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia, septic peritonitis and a double gall bladder with choleliths in an extrahepatic duct. Initial medical stabilisation was performed. At laparotomy, a duplex gall bladder with two separate cystic ducts was identified. The left gall bladder was thickened and had ruptured at the apex. Multiple choleliths were identified in the left cystic duct. The right gall bladder and cystic duct were grossly normal. The ruptured gall bladder was repaired, the gallstones were removed via a choledochotomy of the left cystic duct and a choledochoduodenostomy was created from the dilated left cystic duct. The cat remained depressed and anorexic, and it was euthanased 72 hours postoperatively at the owners' request. This is the first ante-mortem investigation of extrahepatic biliary disease associated with gall bladder duplication in the cat.

Extrahepatic biliary tract surgery in the cat: a case series and review

Four cases of extrahepatic biliary tract surgery in the cat are described. The causes of the disease were inflammation of the gallbladder, distal common bile duct (CBD) or major duodenal papilla, and traumatic avulsion of the CBD. Bile peritonitis was present in two of the cats. Biliary enterostomy was performed in three cats, two of which were euthanased at five weeks and three months postsurgery; the third was alive at the time of writing, four months postsurgery. Cholecystectomy was curative in one cat. A literature review reveals high early mortality following biliary diversion, with only 50 per cent of cases surviving more than two weeks, and 23 per cent surviving more than six months. Surviving cats had repeated intermittent vomiting and anorexia that responded to antibiotics. No postoperative mortality was seen when biliary diversion was avoided. Whenever biliary enterostomy or temporary diversion methods are performed, a poorer prognosis should be offered due to the increased likelihood of postoperative complications and mortality.