Hepatic Abscesses in Cats: 14 Cases (1985–2002)

Abstract

In this retrospective study, we describe 14 cats diagnosed with hepatic abscesses. The objective of the study was to report the clinical signs, physical examination findings, clinicopathologic findings, and outcomes in affected cats. These findings were then compared with those previously reported in dogs and humans. Clinical signs were vague and included anorexia, lethargy, and weight loss. Only 23% of cats had fever, whereas 31% were hypothermic. Increases in serum activities of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were found in 45 and 18%, respectively, of the 11 cats that had laboratory work performed. Abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed in 7 cats, and abnormalities were found in 71% of them. Four cats had solitary abscesses, all of which were located in the right liver lobes. The other 10 cats had multifocal small abscesses or microabscesses, and all of these cats had clinical signs suggestive of sepsis. Cytologic evaluation of samples obtained by abdominocentesis indicated septic inflammation in 67% of cats in which peritoneal fluid was analyzed. Hepatic abscess cultures yielded polymicrobial growth in 66% of the cats: Escherichia coli was the most commonly cultured organism. Overall mortality rate was 79%. All survivors underwent exploratory laparotomy for partial hepatectomy to resect the abscess followed by medical management. Hepatic abscesses should be considered in cats with signs consistent with sepsis. More routine use of ultrasonography may aid in earlier diagnosis of hepatic abscesses, potentially improving prognosis and outcome.

Medical and surgical management of an intra-abdominal abscess of hepatic origin in a horse

“…2,3,5,6,8 Clinical signs are similar to those found in other species such as dogs, cats, and humans. 8,9 Clinical pathological findings in horses are often indicative of systemic inflammation and generally include leukocytosis attributable to mature neutrophilia, hypo-or hyperproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, hyperfibrinogenemia, and mildly high liver enzyme activity. 2,[4][5][6] Diagnosis of hepatic abscesses in horses can be difficult.…”

Vulvar Abscess Caused by Bacteroides sp. Infection in a Female Dog

“…There have been some reports on abscesses in small animals 1,[4][5][6][7][8][9][10] . Farrar et al 5) reported 14 cases of hepatic abscesses in dogs and aerobic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. intermedius were mainly isolated from them.…”

“…Farrar et al 5) reported 14 cases of hepatic abscesses in dogs and aerobic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. intermedius were mainly isolated from them. Sergeeff et al 10) reported 14 cases of hepatic abscesses in cat as well and they stated that E. coli was the most commonly cultured organisms. Moreover, Murakami et al 9) reported a case of lymph node abscess caused by Actinomyces viscosus in a cat.…”

Liver and biliary tract

“…45 In human patients most abscesses are bacterial in nature and most commonly affect the right liver lobes. This may be due to its proximity to the biliary tree or the portal anatomy that permits translocation of intestinal flora.…”

“…Polymicrobial growth was cultured from 66% of the cats, with E. coli most frequently isolated. 45 Feline patients often present with non-specific clinical signs such as anorexia, lethargy and weight loss. Most affected cats were septic and many were hypothermic.…”