Feline Cholangitis

Abstract

Inflammatory biliary tract disease (cholangitis) is the commonest liver disease in cats but remains poorly understood. There are chronic lymphocytic and acute neutrophilic forms together with chronic neutrophilic cholangitis which may overlap both these categories. Acute suppurative cholangitis is often associated with bacterial infections and interruptions to bile flow. Lymphocytic forms may be immune-mediated but there is evidence of heterogenicity in histologic and clinical appearance and response to treatment which may suggest several distinct diseases. This review discusses current knowledge, presentation, and diagnosis of feline cholangitis and suggests avenues for future research.

Keywords: Cholangitis; Feline; Hepatic disease; Lymphocytic cholangitis; Neutrophilic cholangitis; Suppurative.