Single large enterolith in a cat with chronic inflammatory enteropathy

Abstract

AbstractA 3‐year‐old, male, neutered, domestic shorthair cat with a history of chronic intermittent vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation was referred for abdominal ultrasound of a mid‐abdominal mass identified on palpation. Findings included a densely shadowing structure within the distal ileum with severe local muscularis thickening, mild diffuse small intestinal muscularis thickening, and an enlarged right ileocolic lymph node. Abdominal radiographs showed the structure to be most consistent with an enterolith. Enterolithiasis is a rare condition in companion animals, but common in horses and selected populations of human patients. Enterectomy was performed, and histopathology results of intestinal biopsies were consistent with chronic inflammatory enteropathy. Chemical analysis of the enterolith revealed a predominantly calcium phosphate composition. At the 3‐month follow‐up, the cat had gained weight and showed marked improvement in gastrointestinal signs. Screening for underlying structural intestinal disease may be beneficial in cats diagnosed with enteroliths.