EXTRAHEPATIC BILIARY-TRACT OBSTRUCTION - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 45 CASES (1983-1993)

The medical records of 41 dogs and four cats with either surgical or p ostmortem confirmation of extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction were reviewed. Clinical signs of icterus, vomiting, anorexia, or a combinat ion of these signs were exhibited by 100% of cases, Elevated serum bil irubin was documented in 37 of 41 dogs and two of four cats (86.6%). T he predominant, underlying, pathological process was extraluminal obst ruction of the biliary tract due to pancreatitis (19 of 45 cases; 42.2 %) or neoplasia (11 of 45 cases; 24.4%). Biliary tract surgery was per formed in 29 cases, of which 12 (41.3%) recovered, Animals diagnosed w ith extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction had a relatively good long- term prognosis, provided they were not compromised substantially due t o severe necrotizing pancreatitis or neoplasia.