Prevalence of gallbladder sludge and diseases in cats undergoing abdominal ultrasonography

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of gallbladder sludge and its diseases in cats. As part of this thesis, abdominal ultrasonographic examination records of 100 cats of different breeds, sexes, and ages who presented to a private clinic for various reasons were reviewed. Before the ultrasound examination, the abdominal area was shaved and disinfected with alcohol, and ultrasound gel was applied to prevent air from trapped between the probe and the skin. Medical history information was also recorded. The ultrasonographic images obtained were used to determine gallbladder sludge, gallbladder wall thickness, gallbladder dilatation, morphological abnormalities of the gallbladder, and liver size. The ultrasonographic images of the 100 cats examined in this thesis revealed images consistent with biliary mucocele in 6 cats, cholecystitis in 25 cats, cholangitis/cholangiohepatitis in 2 cats, gallbladder morphological abnormalities in 8 cats, and hepatic lipidosis in 5 cats. In conclusion, it was concluded that the prevalence of gallbladder sludge in cats was 6% and that ultrasonographic examination was a valuable tool in the detection of gallbladder diseases.