Cholelithiasis
Basic Information 
Clinical Presentation
History, Chief Complaint
Owners may observe intermittent colic, weight loss, anorexia, depression, icterus, or fever.
Physical Exam Findings
Icterus, fever, low-grade colic, photosensitization, hepatoencephalopathy, petechiae (rarely).
Etiology and Pathophysiology
• The exact mechanism is unknown.
• Excreted conjugated bilirubin becomes unconjugated bilirubin and combines with calcium to form calcium bilirubinate, which precipitates, resulting in cholelith formation.
• Often associated with ascending cholangitis or cholangiohepatitis, especially with gram-negative enteric bacteria.
