## Overview Cholangiohepatitis is inflammation of the bile ducts and adjacent liver tissue, usually from ascending bacterial infection. It is one of the more common liver diseases in adult horses and is frequently associated with choleliths. Classic signs are fever, colic, and jaundice. ## Causes Ascending enteric bacteria (often Gram-negative or anaerobic) secondary to biliary stasis. Cholelithiasis is a frequent concurrent finding. ## Diagnosis Clinical signs plus elevated liver enzymes, ultrasound evidence of dilated ducts or choleliths, and liver biopsy for histopathology and culture. ## Treatment Prolonged antimicrobial therapy guided by culture when possible, supportive care, and, when indicated, surgical or endoscopic management of obstructing stones. Treatment often continues for many weeks until enzymes normalize. ## Recovery and Prognosis Fair if treated early and fibrosis is limited. Presence of hepatic encephalopathy or severe fibrosis worsens the outlook. Recurrence is possible. ## Prevention No specific prevention. Prompt treatment of biliary disease may limit progression.
fever; intermittent colic; jaundice; depression; weight loss; elevated liver enzymes
## Overview Cholangiohepatitis is inflammation of the bile ducts and adjacent liver tissue, usually from ascending bacterial infection. It is one of the more common liver diseases in adult horses and is frequently associated with choleliths. Classic signs are fever, colic, and jaundice. ## Causes Ascending enteric bacteria (often Gram-negative or anaerobic) secondary to biliary stasis. Cholelithiasis is a frequent concurrent finding. ## Diagnosis Clinical signs plus elevated liver enzymes, ultrasound evidence of dilated ducts or choleliths, and liver biopsy for histopathology and culture. ## Treatment Prolonged antimicrobial therapy guided by culture when possible, supportive care, and, when indicated, surgical or endoscopic management of obstructing stones. Treatment often continues for many weeks until enzymes normalize. ## Recovery and Prognosis Fair if treated early and fibrosis is limited. Presence of hepatic encephalopathy or severe fibrosis worsens the outlook. Recurrence is possible. ## Prevention No specific prevention. Prompt treatment of biliary disease may limit progression.
fever; intermittent colic; jaundice; depression; weight loss; elevated liver enzymes