Inflammatory liver diseases in cats

Inflammatory liver diseases comprise the second most common cause of liver disease in cats. The two major forms of inflammatory liver disease describe d in North America are cholangiohepatitis (acute and chronic forms) and lym phocytic portal hepatitis. Signalment, clinical signs, clinical laboratory data, and ultrasonography can be used to establish a presumptive diagnosis of inflammatory liver disease; however, hepatic biopsy is needed for defini tive diagnosis. Differences in treatment strategies for cholangiohepatitis and lymphocytic portal hepatitis warrant establishing a definitive diagnosi s. Prognosis for long-term survival is good for cats that survive the first 2 to 3 months after diagnosis of either of these diseases.