Feline Gi: Chronic Feline Liver Disease: Feline It May Not Be What You Think

Feline liver disease usually involves Zone 1 (portal triad region) and focuses on components of the biliary system (bile ductules, bile ducts, common bile duct, pancreatic ducts, gallbladder). Inflammatory effacement of the limiting plate (hepatocytes surrounding the portal triad) and associated apoptotic or necrolytic hepatocyte death is uncommon without involvement of biliary structures. The cholangitis/cholangiohepatitis syndrome (CCHS) is the feline equivalent to canine chronic hepatitis. Despite early suggestion of a Siamese predisposition, there is no consistent evidence for breed predilection. Affecting cats of any age (3 months–19 years), CCHS is usually diagnosed in middle aged or older cats, with the most common form involving non-suppurative inflammation. An ongoing study at the author’s hospital is clarifying the histologic features and subclassifications of this feline syndrome and their responses to therapeutic interventions.