Cholecystectomy in 23 cats (2005-2021)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Surgery
• Gastroenterology
• Feline Medicine

Background:

• Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) is a procedure performed in cats for various biliary tract diseases.
• Understanding the risks, complications, and long-term outcomes is crucial for surgical decision-making and client communication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To retrospectively analyze the clinical presentation, surgical treatments, and long-term outcomes of cats undergoing cholecystectomy.
• To evaluate the prognosis and quality of life following gallbladder removal in feline patients.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of medical records for 23 client-owned cats that underwent cholecystectomy between 2005 and 2021.
• Owner questionnaires were utilized to assess long-term outcomes and quality of life.

Main Results:

• Cholelithiasis (gallstones) and cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation) were the primary indications for surgery.
• Common complications included intraoperative hypotension, postoperative anemia, and vomiting, with a perioperative mortality rate of 21.7%.
• Despite complications, 78.3% of cats survived to discharge, and long-term follow-up revealed a favorable prognosis, with most owners reporting excellent outcomes and quality of life.

Conclusions:

• Cholelithiasis is the most frequent reason for feline cholecystectomy, which can be associated with significant perioperative complications and mortality.
• Cats with non-neoplastic biliary disease undergoing cholecystectomy generally have a favorable long-term prognosis and quality of life.
• Successful cholecystectomy can be achieved even with concurrent extrahepatic biliary duct obstruction if common bile duct patency is restored.