Temporary Bile Diversion in Cats with Experimental Extrahepatic Bile Duct Obstruction

The use of a cholecystostomy catheter for temporary bile diversion was investigated in four cats with experimentally induced extrahepatic bile duct obstruction. Eighteen days after ligation of the common bile duct, a 6.5 F accordion catheter was placed in the gallbladder with a 22 g Hawkins needle-guide system through a paracostal incision. Biochemical parameters and fasting serum bile acids were monitored for 16 days. There were significant decreases in mean total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, and fasting serum bile acids within 72 hours of bile diversion, and in mean alanine aminotransferase within 96 hours. Attitude and appetite improved, and the catheter was tolerated well. Positive bile cultures developed in three cats. Histologic changes in the gallbladder included mucosal ulcerations, a mixed inflammatory cellular infiltration, and fibrosis of the submucosa.     

Retrospective evaluation of the use of small-bore wire-guided catheters for the management of peritoneal effusion in cats and dogs

Objective

To describe the use of small-bore wire-guided catheters in the management of peritoneal effusion in cats and dogs and to detail any associated adverse events.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

University teaching hospital

Animals

Forty-five client-owned animals that had peritoneal catheters placed for management of peritoneal effusion between July 2010 and June 2021.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

Forty-five cases were included (25 dogs and 20 cats). Twenty-eight animals had the catheter placed to aid management of a uroabdomen, 8 of which recovered without surgical management, 11 had the catheter placed to allow autotransfusion of hemoabdomen, 3 had peritonitis, and 3 had ascites secondary to cardiac disease. Twenty-seven cases (15 dogs and 12 cats) received sedation (n = 24) or local anesthesia alone (n = 3) to facilitate catheter placement, and 6 cases had the catheter placed while under general anesthesia. Median length of catheter persistence was 24 hours (range: 2–144 h). The most common adverse events reported were impaired drainage (n = 7) and leakage at the insertion site (n = 4).

Conclusions

Peritoneal catheters can be inserted percutaneously for management of peritoneal effusion. Indications include stabilization and conservative management of uroabdomen, and autotransfusion. They can often be placed with minimal or no sedation and adverse events appear infrequent in occurrence.