title: The surgical treatment of cholelithiasis in cats: a study of nine cases.
abstract: Nine cats that had surgical treatment for obstructive cholelithiasis were reviewed to evaluate clinical signs, diagnostic test results, and outcome after surgery. Common clinical signs included progressive vomiting (9/9), dehydration (9/9), anorexia (6/9), icterus (5/9), and lethargy (4/9). Five cats had a cholecystectomy performed, one cat had a cholecystotomy, and three cats had a biliary diversion procedure. Four of the cats that had a cholecystectomy had no recurrence of vomiting or anorexia. The majority of cats (7/9) had multiple choleliths, which were radiopaque and most commonly composed of calcium carbonate. Seven cats were diagnosed with cholangiohepatitis, and four of these cats did not need long-term medical therapy. Most cats (7/9) survived long term postsurgery (mean, 21 months; median, 24 months) without additional medical therapy, while the two cats with concurrent hepatic lipidosis died. Cholecystectomy appeared to have low morbidity with good clinical success.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The E. & M. Bobst Hospital of The Animal Medical Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Eich
authors.forename: Lori L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Ludwig
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015904:Biliopancreatic Diversion / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008111:Liver Function Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome