Changes

More common in cats than in dogs.  Cats of all breeds and ages can be affected, but often young to middle-aged cats.  Male cats are more at risk.

More common in cats than in dogs.  Cats of all breeds and ages can be affected, but often young to middle-aged cats.  Male cats are more at risk.

==Aetiology and Pathogenesis==

==Description==

Neutrophilic cholangitis/cholangiohepatitis results from ascending bacterial infection from the small intestines.  ''Escherichia coli'', ''Staphylococcus spp.'', ''Streptococcus spp.'', ''Clostridium spp.'', ''Bacillus spp.'', ''Actinomyces spp.'', ''Bacteroides spp.'' and occasionally ''Salmonella spp.'' have been isolated.  Concurrent biliary tract disease are common in cats, especially pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease.  Other predisposing factors include bile duct obstruction, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis.

Neutrophilic cholangitis/cholangiohepatitis results from ascending bacterial infection from the small intestines.  ''Escherichia coli'', ''Staphylococcus spp.'', ''Streptococcus spp.'', ''Clostridium spp.'', ''Bacillus spp.'', ''Actinomyces spp.'', ''Bacteroides spp.'' and occasionally ''Salmonella spp.'' have been isolated.  Concurrent biliary tract disease are common in cats, especially pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease.  Other predisposing factors include bile duct obstruction, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

*Clinical Signs

===Clinical Signs===

Acute presentation with pyrexia, abdominal pain, lethargy, jaundice.

Acute presentation with pyrexia, abdominal pain, lethargy, jaundice.

*Haematology & Biochemistry

===Haematology & Biochemistry===

Increased segmented and band neutrophils.

Increased segmented and band neutrophils.

Increased ALT and total bilirubin concentration

Increased ALT and total bilirubin concentration

*Imaging

===Imaging===

A coarse or nodular texture to the liver on ultrasonography.  More chronic cases may have dilation of the biliary tract.

A coarse or nodular texture to the liver on ultrasonography.  More chronic cases may have dilation of the biliary tract.

*Cytology and Culture

===Cytology and Culture===

Bile samples for cytology is needed for a definitive diagnosis.  Histopathology of the liver alone is not adequate as the disease tend to be confined to the biliary tract and pathology of the liver can be non specific and  mild.  Cytology shows bacteria and neutrophils.  Culture and sensitivity should be performed for appropriate choice of antibiotics.

Bile samples for cytology is needed for a definitive diagnosis.  Histopathology of the liver alone is not adequate as the disease tend to be confined to the biliary tract and pathology of the liver can be non specific and  mild.  Cytology shows bacteria and neutrophils.  Culture and sensitivity should be performed for appropriate choice of antibiotics.