Three cases of biliary cirrhosis in cats are described. Clinical signs included icterus, vomiting, weight loss, depression, anorexia and distension of the abdomen accompanied by abdominal pain. Main gross findings included firm liver with irregular capsular and cut surfaces and enhanced reticular pattern, marked distension of the cystic duct (ectasia), extrahepatic portosystemic venous shunts, cavitary effusions and thin carcasses. Microscopic lesions included severe periportal, dissecting fibrosis with lymphoplasmacytic inflammation, biliary proliferation and cholestasis. In one case, Brown-Hopps’ stained slides revealed gram-positive cocci with associated inflammation inside the ductal lumen. The histological finding of intralesional bacteria in cases of feline cholangitis/cholangiohepatis complex is reported only on rare occasions and has not been described for biliary cirrhosis. Dilation of the cystic duct and formation of portosystemic shunts are also unusual complications of this syndrome. Biliary cirrhosis is an uncommon condition since most cats die or are euthanatized before reaching the final stage of this progressive inflammatory hepatic disease. The prevalence of this entity in local feline populations remains to be determined in Brazil.
biliary cirrhosis; liver; cats; feline cholangitis/cholangiohepatitis complex
