Question of the Day

In cats, there is a common opening of the pancreatic and common bile ducts into the duodenum.

It is thought that this may predispose them to ascending cholangitis and pancreatitis after vomiting associated with inflammatory bowel disease, resulting in extrahepatic biliary obstruction.

Other possible etiologies of EHBO include neoplasia, biliary stricture, duodenal obstruction, diaphragmatic hernia, and parasitic infection.

In all cases, there is a lack of bile entry into the intestinal tract, leading to decreased absorption of fat and fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin K, potentially resulting in coagulopathies.

Except in transient cases that are related to acute pancreatitis, need surgical intervention to relieve the obstruction as well as appropriate supportive care, antimicrobial treatment, and vitamin K administration.

Click here to see a good summary of extrahepatic biliary obstruction with images, courtesy of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS).