Cholecystitis in a cat is an inflammation of the gallbladder, which is accompanied by stagnation of bile in the body. This is a painful disease, and without the timely help of a doctor, it can lead to the death of the animal. Consider the symptoms and treatment of cholecystitis in cats.
General information
The liver produces bile, which is then transported to the gallbladder and small intestine. Bile plays an important role in the digestion of food. Inflammation of the gallbladder can lead to digestive disorders. Typically, problems are the result of clogging of the bile duct with stones. Stagnation of bile occurs, as a result of which the gallbladder becomes inflamed. With cholecystitis, the cat constantly vomits, the mucous membranes become yellowish. In the absence of timely treatment, rupture of the gallbladder may occur. As a result, the animal may die from peritonitis.
Cholecystitis can occur once or have a chronic form. During periods of exacerbation, treatment is able to cope with the symptoms, but the disease will return again. In the worst case scenario, the veterinarian can remove part of the gallbladder surgically to save the animal from death.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cholecystitis in a cat:
- gagging;
- vomiting with bile;
- refusal of food;
- apathy and breakdown;
- weight reduction;
- increase or decrease in body temperature;
- upon palpation of the right hypochondrium, the animal will plaintively meow from pain;
- yellowing of the mucous membranes;
- yellowing of the tongue;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- drop in blood pressure;
- unconscious urine output;
- weak pulse.
Causes
We list the factors that can lead to inflammation of the gallbladder:
- The consequence of abdominal surgery.
- Deterioration of blood supply to the gallbladder.
- Decreased muscle tone of the gallbladder.
- E. coli.
- Mechanical trauma to the abdomen.
- Bowel disorder.
- Neoplasms.
- The development of diabetes.
We single out the main causes of cholecystitis:
- Improper nutrition. When feeding poor-quality dry feed, disruptions in the digestive system occur. Continuous feeding of raw fish leads to gallbladder inflammation. The absence of vitamin B1 in the feed leads to impaired liver function.
- Infection with parasites. When feeding raw fish and meat, infection with the liver fluke is possible, which affects the liver and gall bladder, and also blocks the bile ducts. Giardia, which settle in the intestines and pancreas and are the cause of digestive disorders, are still dangerous.
- Infectious diseases. Complications of various infectious diseases can lead to inflammation of the liver and gall bladder.
- Congenital pathology.
Diagnostics
It is not possible to make an accurate diagnosis solely on the basis of symptoms. When the first signs of the disease appear, the animal should be urgently referred to a doctor. The veterinarian will take a general and biochemical blood test. Urine and stool tests may also be needed. With cholecystitis, there is an increase in cholesterol, bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase. Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is extremely effective. Thickening of the walls of the gallbladder and stagnation of bile indicate cholecystitis in a cat. A biopsy may be prescribed to examine bile. An animal can also have an MRI.
Treatment
With a mild course of the disease, the animal can be treated at home. The doctor will prescribe medications that will help the gallstones to resolve. Vitamin B1 must be added to the diet. Nutrition should be of high quality and balanced. You may need to purchase feeds that are suitable for animals that have digestive problems. They have less fat, but a higher concentration of vitamins and minerals. Feed the cat more often, but in smaller portions. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics for the cat with cholecystitis and antispasmodics, which will help the resorption of bile.
It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the animal. If the cat does not feel better or has a sharp deterioration, it is urgent to consult a veterinarian. When the gall bladder ruptures, an operation is performed to remove the diseased organ. It can be removed by laparoscopy, which is more easily tolerated by the animal, and using the usual abdominal surgery. In case of timely surgical intervention, the prognosis for recovery of the animal is positive. If the operation is not performed on time, the animal will die.
Prevention
Most often, the main cause of problems with the gastrointestinal tract is improper and poor-quality feeding of the animal. The lack or excess of some components in food leads to problems that also affect the state of the gallbladder and kidneys. Feeding raw meat and fish can lead to infection of the animal with various parasites, therefore it is necessary to conduct heat treatment. Cats cannot be fed fish all the time. Such a diet can cause not only cholecystitis, but also urolithiasis. It is advisable to give the cat a fish no more than once a week. Dry feed should be selected based on their quality and the advice of veterinarians. Feed the economy segment have a detrimental effect on the liver of the animal. They contain various chemical impurities that are addictive in cats. Because the animal continues to eat food with appetite, even if it causes him digestive problems.
If the animal was injured - fell from a great height or it was hit by a car - the cat must be urgently shown to the doctor. Rare vomiting is normal for cats - it helps to remove swallowed hair from the stomach. If you notice bile in the vomit of the animal, you should immediately consult a doctor. In chronic form, cholecystitis cannot be completely cured without surgical intervention, therefore it is advisable to cope with the disease before it consolidates in the body.
Thus, problems with the gastrointestinal tract and liver can lead to cholecystitis. The attack in cats is usually accompanied by apathy and loss of appetite, severe vomiting, fever. If these symptoms appear, consult a doctor immediately. Most often, the treatment of cholecystitis is medication, but in some cases, an operation may be necessary, without which the animal will die.