Feline Hepatobiliary Disease Flashcards
How is feline liver enzyme increase different compared to dogs?
elevations are more significant due to their shorter half-lives
- ALT = leakage enzyme from damaged hepatocytes (T1/2 = 6 hr)
- ALP = membrane-bound, cats lack cALP and contain overall less compared to dogs = increase is ALWAYS significant (T1/2 = 6 hr)
- AST = in cytosol and mitochondria (T1/2 = 77 min)
- GGT = on hepatocellular membrane (cholestasis)
What are the 5 most common liver diseases in cats?
- hepatic lipidosis
- feline inflammatory diseases
- lymphoma
- FIP
- Toxoplasma, fungal
What is the difference between cholangitis, choledochitis, cholecystitis, and cholangiohepatitis?
inflammation of the biliary tree
inflammation of the bile ducts
inflammation of the GB
hepatic inflammation centered on the biliary tract extending into adjacent hepatic parenchyma
What are the 4 major categories of cholangitis in cats?
- neutrophilic*
- lymphocytic (or lymphoplasmacytic)*
- destructive - bile ducts targeted and destroyed, end-stage lymphocytic
- chronic cholangitis associated with fluke infestation
What signalment is associated with feline neutrophilic cholangitis? What is thought to be the cause?
any age, breed, and sex –> acute form tends to occur in younger to middle-aged
ascending bacterial (E. coli most common) infection from the GIT (breach duodenal papilla) up the biliary tree +/- hematogenous spread
What clinical signs are associated with feline neutrophilic cholangitis?
- abdominal pain
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- anorexia
- fever
- dehydration
- icterus
What is seen on clinicopathology and AUS in cases of feline neutrophilic cholangitis? What is diagnosis based on?
leukocytosis +/- left shift with variable increased liver enzyme activity (ALT, ALP, GGT) and hyperbilirubinemia
hyper/hypoechoic liver with bile duct dilation +/- GB debris –> 60% of cats are normal!
cholecystocentesis for bile analysis and culture and liver biopsies for evidence of neutrophilic inflammation
GB and liver, U/S
Bile culture and cytology:
neutrophilic –> inflammatory cells + bacteria
When is percutaneous cholecystocentesis performed? Complications are rare, but what are 3 possibilities?
cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease
- intraperitoneal bile leakage
- hemorrhage
- vasovagal reaction - respiratory arrest, severe bradycardia, death - have Atropine ready!
What 3 things are included in medical treatment of feline neutrophilic cholangitis? What are the most common bacterial etiologies?
- antimicrobials - E. coli, Enterococcus, anaerobes -potentiated penicillin for broad-spectrum coverage (Clavamox, Unasyn), add fluoroquinolones for G- coverage
- Ursodiol
- supportive care
What commonly concurrently occurs with chronic forms of feline neutrophilic cholangitis? What treatment is necessary?
IBD, pancreatitis (triaditis!), extrahepatic biliary obstruction
anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, Ursodiol, Prednisone –> can be cured!
How does feline lymphocytic cholangitis affect the liver? What concurrent diseases are associated? What are the most common clinical signs?
slowly progressive disease - lymphocytic inflammation +/- fibrosis and bile duct hyperplasia
IBD and pancreatitis
non-specific anorexia, vomiting, lethargy, or weight loss with icterus and hepatomegaly
How is feline lymphocytic cholangitis diagnosed? What 3 treatments are indicated?
liver biopsy and cholecystocentesis for bile culture
- antibiotics as indicate if bacteria are present or culture is positive
- Prednisone +/- additional immunosuppressive (Chlorambucil, Cyclosporine)
- Ursodiol
What are the 2 most flukes that can infect feline livers/
- Platynosomum concinnum (fatosum) - Florida, Hawaii, tropical areas
- Amphimerus pseudofelineus