Cholangitis is inflammation of the bile ducts in the portal region of the liver, and cholangiohepatitis is the same process spreading past the limiting plate into the surrounding hepatocytes. Together, as the cholangitis-cholangiohepatitis syndrome, they make up the most common acquired inflammatory liver disease of cats. It matters for the NAVLE because the neutrophilic and lymphocytic forms look similar but are treated in opposite ways: antibiotics for one, immunosuppression for the other.
Key facts
Cholangitis and cholangiohepatitis at a glance- Species and system: cat; hepatobiliary (digestive system).
- Cause: ascending bacterial infection (neutrophilic, also called suppurative); suspected immune-mediated (lymphocytic, also called nonsuppurative); liver flukes in endemic areas.
- Classic presentation: neutrophilic form is a febrile, jaundiced, painful cat with vomiting and anorexia; lymphocytic form is a chronic illness lasting weeks to months with episodic anorexia, vomiting, weight loss or jaundice.
- Associated disease: often coexists with inflammation of the duodenum, pancreas and kidneys; the combination with pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease is called triaditis.
- Zoonotic or reportable: no.
What's inside
11 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Don't confuse cholangitis with
- Treatment and management
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 8 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.