Clinical pathological findings of a cat with chronic cholangitis

Chronic cholangitis in cats can be induced by liver fluke infestation. It is a rare disease and can be fatal if it is left untreated due to a number of complications including liver cancer. A 2.5-year-old–spayed female domestic shorthair cat with history of jaundice, vomiting and self-inflicted alopecia was brought to the University Veterinary Hospital. Blood and urine samples were sent to the Veterinary Haematology and Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory. Complete blood count results showed values within normal. The cat rather had persistent increases in liver enzymes and bilirubin throughout 1 week of hospitalisation, although she was treated empirically. Bilirubinuria was expected, and adequately concentrated urine was noted. Faecal sample submitted to the Veterinary Parasitology Laboratory during hospitalisation revealed the presence of liver fluke ova. The cat was treated with fenbendazole and other medications upon discharged, and the owner was advised to bring the cat for a visit for re-evaluation of liver enzymes and liver fluke ova.