Administration of vancomycin for treatment of ascending bacterial cholangiohepatitis in a cat

Abstract

Clinical signs of bacterial suppurative cholangiohepatitis in cats are typical of any acute, severe systemic bacterial infection, that is, pyrexia, anorexia, apparent depression, and neutrophilia with a left shift. Cholangiohepatitis in cats may develop in association with numerous nonbacterial infections as well as in association with nephrotic syndrome. Antibiotic resistance is common in Enterococcus spp; therefore, combination antibiotic treatment, such as vancomycin in conjunction with gentamicin, may be necessary. Resistance to vancomycin is rare, but the spectrum of activity is limited to gram-positive aerobes and anaerobes, for which it is bactericidal.