The Veterinary Journal

Volume 195, Issue 2, February 2013, Pages 205–209

Retrospective comparison of prednisolone and ursodeoxycholic acid for the treatment of feline lymphocytic cholangitis

• C.M.A. Otte^, , 
• L.C. Penning, 
• J. Rothuizen, 
• R.P. Favier

• Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

• http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.06.020, How to Cite or Link Using DOI

Abstract

A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the effect of treatment with prednisolone or ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on the survival times of 26 cats with lymphocytic cholangitis, and to determine prognostic factors. Most affected cats were males (76.9%, P = 0.006) and a breed predisposition for the Norwegian Forest Cat was demonstrated (P = 0.021). Clinical signs included weight loss, icterus, anorexia, vomiting, and listlessness. Blood analyses revealed elevated hepatic enzymes, bile acids and hypergammaglobulinaemia. Breed, sex, and therapeutic regimen were significantly associated with survival times. Prednisolone treatment resulted in a statistically longer survival time compared to UDCA.

Keywords

• Cat; 
• Hepatobiliary disease; 
• Lymphocytic cholangitis; 
• Prednisolone; 
• Ursodeoxycholic acid