For most cats, gallstones are rare and, even if a cat has them, the gallstones may not cause any problems. However, that changes if the gallstones are associated with an infection or inflammation, and they can be life-threatening if they cause an obstruction that ruptures or blocks the bile duct or the gallbladder itself.
Signs of an obstruction include:
- abdominal pain
- lack of appetitie
- jaundice
- weakness
- vomiting
- fever
Gallstones are more common in middle-age and senior cats, but any cat with these symptoms should be seen by a veterinarian.