Cold agglutinin disease in a cat

A case of cold agglutinin disease associated with trauma and exposure to lead is described in a domestic cat. A definitive diagnosis was made on the basis of autohaemagglutination at cold temperatures and histopathology. Exposure to lead has been associated with cold agglutinin disease in other species. The cat spontaneously recovered after removal of the lead from its body. Cold agglutinin disease has been reported twice in the cat.     

Cerebral coenurosis in a cat caused by Taenia serialis: neurological, magnetic resonance imaging and pathological features

Clinical summary: A 4-year-old Birman cat was presented with marked obtundation and non-ambulatory tetraparesis. Two well-demarcated, intra-axial T2-hyperintense, T1-hypointense structures, which did not contrast enhance, were evident on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Histopathology of the structures revealed metacestodes that were morphologically indicative of larval stages of Taenia species. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of a fragment within the 12S rRNA gene confirmed the subspecies as Taenia serialis. Practical significance: This is the first report of MRI findings of cerebral coenurosis caused by T serialis in a cat. Early MRI should be considered an important part of the diagnostic work-up for this rare clinical disease, as it will help guide subsequent treatment and may improve the prognosis.     

Feline demodicosis caused by an unnamed species

A case of feline demodicosis is described in this report. A 13-year-old spayed female domestic short hair cat weighing 4.5 kg was being treated with cefovecin and alternately with prednisone or methylprednisolone. On further physical examination, the cat showed mild erythema and hair loss on the bridge of the nose, around the eyes, on the chin, on the side part of the breast and on the abdomen. A large number of Demodex mites were found in deep skin scrapings from the affected areas. The cat was then treated with ivermectin at 600 μg/kg administered SC daily. After 4 weeks of treatment, the cat was clinically normal with no mites detected in the skin scrapings from the face or breast areas. The mite responsible may represent a previously seen but as yet unnamed new species. This is third report that describes a case of feline demodicosis caused by a different, unnamed mite species that has different morphological characteristics to those of known Demodex mites and may represent a previously seen but as yet unnamed species.     

Successful treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis in a cat

A 7-year-old, spayed female Domestic Longhair cat was evaluated for a 6-week history of coughing. Thoracic radiography revealed a pleural effusion. Thoracic ultrasound revealed a pleural effusion and a focal lung mass. The cat underwent exploratory thoracotomy and a total left pneumonectomy was performed. Histopathology and cultures revealed fungal pneumonia and pyothorax caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. Abdominal ultrasound, repeat thoracic radiography, urinalysis with culture, and retroviral screening failed to detect evidence of systemic disease. The cat's poorly regulated diabetes mellitus is suspected to be the predisposing factor allowing a fungal pulmonary infection to become established. At 18 months after surgery the cat was still disease-free. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of successful treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis in the cat.     

Mycoplasma felis-associated meningoencephalomyelitis in a cat

Mycoplasmas are frequently isolated from many animal species. In domestic cats, mycoplasmas may be isolated from respiratory and ocular mucosae, but other sites are also occasionally colonized by these organisms. No cases of Mycoplasma species-associated neurologic disease have been reported in cats. We describe a case of Mycoplasma felis-associated meningoencephalitis in a 10-month-old domestic shorthair cat.     

Feline cholecystitis and acute neutrophilic cholangitis: clinical findings, bacterial isolates and response to treatment in six cases

Clinicopathological findings from six cats with confirmed cholecystitis or acute neutrophilic cholangitis are presented. Historical findings included lethargy and anorexia or inappetence of up to five days duration. On physical examination all cats were pyrexic and four out of six were jaundiced and had cranial abdominal pain. Bile samples were obtained by cholecystocentesis at exploratory coeliotomy (two cases) or by percutaneous, ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis (four cases). Gall bladder rupture and bile peritonitis occurred subsequent to ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis in one case. The most common bacterial isolate was Escherichia coli (four cases); E coli was isolated alone in two cases, in combination with a Streptococcus species (one case) and in combination with a Clostridium species (one case). Streptococcus species alone was isolated from one case, as was Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The latter is the first reported case of Salmonella-associated cholecystitis in a cat. Concurrent pancreatic or intestinal disease was detected histologically in three cases. All cases were treated with antimicrobials based on in vitro susceptibility results. Treatment was successful in five cases. One cat with concurrent diffuse epitheliotropic intestinal lymphoma was euthanased. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis is an effective, minimally-invasive technique enabling identification of bacterial isolates in cats with inflammatory hepatobiliary disease.     

A case of myasthenia gravis in a cat

A case of myasthenia gravis in a cat, the second to be recorded in this species, is described. A good response was obtained to oral administration of 10 mg pyridostigmine daily, preceded by 0–15 mg atropine sulphate to obviate the cholinergic effects. The cat showed no recurrence of muscular weakness 6 months after treatment was terminated. Attention is drawn to a dilation of the oesophagus, which is a feature of the condition in dogs and which was also seen in this feline case. The extent of the dilation differs in the dog and the cat and appears to be dependent upon the anatomical distribution of striated muscle in the oesophagus of the two species.     

Caudal vena cava obstruction and ascites in a cat treated by balloon dilation and endovascular stent placement

OBJECTIVE: To present details of an unusual case of caudal vena caval obstruction and its management in a cat. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case report. STUDY POPULATION: A 15 month old male castrated domestic shorthaired cat. RESULTS: The diagnostic evaluation included the use of digital subtraction angiography and ultrasonography to locate the caudal vena caval obstruction. Treatment initially involved puncture and balloon dilation of the obstructed area of the cava. After reobstruction, the stenotic area was redilated and stented. The cat was euthanatized 4 weeks later because of vomiting, anorexia, and abnormal behavior, presumed to be associated with liver disease. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Interventional radiography provided a minimally invasive way to manage this unusual vascular anomaly.     

Spontaneous pneumoperitoneum in two cats

Spontaneous pneumoperitoneum is an infrequently observed presentation in cats. This report details two cases of pneumoperitoneum in the cat. The first case was suspected to have been caused by a gastric perforation secondary to gastric lymphoma. The second case was caused by a perforated gastric ulcer in a cat that had been recently treated with corticosteroids and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.     

Cryptosporidiosis in a feline leukemia virus-positive cat

A 4-year-old FeLV-positive cat with a 1-year history of intermittent diarrhea and subsequent anorexia, depression, and weight loss had enteric cryptosporidiosis at necropsy. Cryptosporidium sp is an important cause of gastroenteritis and diarrhea in various species, including human beings with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A major determinant of the severity of the disease caused by Cryptosporidium sp is the immunologic status of the affected animal. Cryptosporidiosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of protracted diarrhea in FeLV-positive cats. Because cryptosporidiosis now is recognized as a zoonosis, cats with this disease should be considered a potential source of human infection.     

Gastrointestinal Motility and Disease in Large Animals

An understanding of the relationship between gastrointestinal (GI) motility and disease is imperative for the proper treatment of large animal patients, especially as new therapeutic agents become available. However, the abundance of information that has become available in the last 2 decades makes gaining this understanding a formidable task. This article summarizes the changes in GI motility caused by some common diseases and conditions encountered in large animal practice, such as GI obstruction, postoperative ileus, resection and anastomosis, diarrhea, endotoxemia, GI parasitism, hypocalcemia, and pregnancy. J Vet Intern Med 1996;10:51–59. Copyright © 1996 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine .     

A novel CYP27B1 mutation causes a feline vitamin D-dependent rickets type IA

A 12-week-old domestic cat presented at a local veterinary clinic with hypocalcemia and skeletal abnormalities suggestive of rickets. Osteomalacia (rickets) is a disease caused by impaired bone mineralization leading to an increased prevalence of fractures and deformity. Described in a variety of species, rickets is most commonly caused by vitamin D or calcium deficiencies owing to both environmental and or genetic abnormalities. Vitamin D-dependent rickets type 1A (VDDR-1A) is a result of the enzymatic pathway defect caused by mutations in the 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3)-1-alpha-hydroxylase gene [cytochrome P27 B1 (CYP27B1)]. Calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D(3), regulates calcium homeostasis, which requires sufficient dietary calcium availability and correct hormonal function for proper bone growth and maintenance. Patient calcitriol concentrations were low while calcidiol levels were normal suggestive of VDDR-1A. The entire DNA coding sequencing of CYP27B1 was evaluated. The affected cat was wild type for previously identified VDDR-1A causative mutations. However, six novel mutations were identified, one of which was a nonsense mutation at G637T in exon 4. The exon 4 G637T nonsense mutation results in a premature protein truncation, changing a glutamic acid to a stop codon, E213X, likely causing the clinical presentation of rickets. The previously documented genetic mutation resulting in feline VDDR-1A rickets, as well as the case presented in this research, result from novel exon 4 CYP27B1 mutations, thus exon 4 should be the initial focus of future sequencing efforts.     

Chronic Bartonellosis in Cats: What are the potential implications?

Practical relevance: Bartonellae are small, vector-transmitted Gram-negative intracellular bacteria that are well adapted to one or more mammalian reservoir hosts. Cats are the natural reservoir for Bartonella henselae, which is a (re-)emerging bacterial pathogen. It can cause cat scratch disease in humans and, in immunocompromised people, may lead to severe systemic diseases, such as bacillary angiomatosis. Cats bacteraemic with B henselae constitute the main reservoir from which humans become infected. Most cats naturally infected with B henselae show no clinical signs themselves, but other Bartonella species for which cats are accidental hosts appear to have more pathogenicity. Global importance: Several studies have reported a prevalence of previous or current Bartonella species infection in cats of up to 36%. B henselae is common in cats worldwide, and bacteraemia can be documented by blood culture in about a quarter of healthy cats. The distribution of B henselae to various parts of the world has largely occurred through humans migrating with their pet cats. The pathogen is mainly transmitted from cat to cat by fleas, and the majority of infected cats derive from areas with high flea exposure. No significant difference in B henselae prevalence has been determined between male and female cats. In studies on both naturally and experimentally infected cats, chronic bacteraemia has mainly been found in cats under the age of 2 years, while those over 2 years of age are rarely chronically bacteraemic. Evidence base: This article reviews published studies and case reports on bartonellosis to explore the clinical significance of the infection in cats and its impact on humans. The article also discusses possible treatment options for cats and means of minimising the zoonotic potential.     

Nasopharyngeal trichobezoar foreign body in a cat

CASE SUMMARY: A 5-year-old male neutered indoor cat presented for evaluation and treatment of an acute onset of nasal discharge and open-mouth breathing of 3 days' duration. He had been treated for asthma prior to presentation, but his clinical signs were more consistent with upper airway disease. Thoracic radiographs were suggestive of asthma. However, a soft tissue mass was noted in the nasopharynx on a lateral cervical radiograph. Nasopharyngeal examination revealed the mass to be a trichobezoar (hair ball) lodged in the nasopharynx, removal of which led to resolution of clinical signs. The cat re-presented with a second nasopharyngeal trichobezoar approximately 1 year later, which was also successfully removed. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Nasopharyngeal disease has myriad potential infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic etiologies. However, simpler causes such as foreign bodies can be considered in cases of acute-onset nasopharyngeal disease. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a nasopharyngeal trichobezoar foreign body in a cat.     

Feline leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum in Italy

A case of leishmaniosis in domestic cats (Felis catus domesticus) is described. The subject showed a nodular lesion on the eyelid. The diagnosis was achieved by serological, parasitological, and light and electron microscopic investigations. By molecular techniques the aetiological agent was identified as belonging to Leishmania infantum, the species implicated in human and canine leishmaniosis in southern Europe. A preliminary study on the prevalence of asymptomatic feline leishmaniosis, performed in the areas where the infected cat was identified, revealed a low seroprevalence of infection: only 1 (0.9%) of the 110 cat sera examined by indirect fluorescent antibody test was positive for anti-Leishmania antibodies. Because clinical signs in feline leishmaniosis are unspecific and similar to those observed in other diseases commonly found in this species, leishmaniosis must be added to the differential diagnosis by feline veterinary practitioners and adequate serologic and histopathologic investigations must be performed in endemic areas.     

Uveitis associated with septic peritonitis in a cat

Objective – To report a case of bilateral uveitis believed to be a consequence of septic peritonitis in a 19‐month‐old cat. Case Summary – Bilateral anterior uveitis with suspicion of extension to the posterior segment was documented in a previously healthy young cat during hospitalization for severe septic peritonitis. Based on medical history and other findings uveitis was believed to result from concurrent abdominal sepsis, due either to metastatic seeding of bacterial organisms or to effects of bacterial toxins and inflammatory mediators on the blood‐aqueous barrier. The cat was surgically and medically managed, and made a full recovery with respect to both his ocular and his abdominal disease. New or Unique Information Provided – Ocular complications secondary to systemic sepsis are well documented in people but seldom reported in the veterinary literature. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report of uveitis linked to septic peritonitis in any veterinary species and the first to report sepsis‐related uveitis in a cat. Ocular inflammatory disease in the context of critical illness deserves attention as a potential significant source of morbidity. The development of ocular inflammatory disease may serve as a sentinel lesion for systemic sepsis and other life‐threatening conditions.     

Photosensitisation induced by clofazimine in a cat

A pale ginger cat was treated with clofazimine for feline leprosy. During the course of treatment, photosensitisation by clofazimine led to a dermatological disease resembling actinic dermatitis. The mycobacterial disease was eventually cured with clofazimine and the photosensitisation was managed by regulating sunlight exposure. Upon review of the literature, this appears to be the first documented case of drug-induced photosensitisation in the cat.     

Gastrointestinal Disease in Exotic Small Mammals

Exotic small mammal medicine is a relatively new specialty area within veterinary medicine. Ferrets, rabbits, and rodents have long been used as animal models in human medical research investigations, resulting in a body of basic anatomic and physiologic information that can be used by veterinarians treating these species. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of veterinary articles that describe clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options of gastrointestinal (GI) disease as it affects exotic small mammals. Although there is little reference material relating to exotic small mammal GI disease, patients are commonly presented to veterinary hospitals with digestive tract disorders. This article provides the latest information available for GI disease in ferrets (Helicobacter mustelae gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], GI lymphoma, systemic coronavirus, coccidiosis, and liver disease), rabbits (GI motility disorders, liver lobe torsion, astrovirus, and coccidiosis), guinea pigs (gastric dilatation volvulus [GDV]), rats (Taenia taeniaeformis), and hamsters (Clostridium difficile). Both noninfectious diseases and emerging infectious diseases are reviewed as well as the most up-to-date diagnostics and treatment options.     

Clinical Update and Treatment of Selected Infectious Gastrointestinal Diseases in Avian Species

The anatomy of the avian gastrointestinal (GI) tract is unique and significantly different from that of other animals. The characteristics of the avian GI tract allow the different species to adapt and thrive in their habitats. Infectious diseases of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic origin commonly affect avian species. The significance and the nature of these pathologies vary with species and if they live in the wild or a captive environment. This review compiles information available in the literature on specific infectious processes that were considered relevant and clinically significant by the authors. Clinicians should be knowledgeable and aware of the infectious agents, clinical signs associated with disease, diagnostic techniques, and treatment methodologies currently available regarding diseases that affect the avian GI tract. Recent information that provides new insight to these infectious processes is the focus of this article.     

Neuromuscular disorders in the cat: clinical approach to weakness

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: Weakness is a relatively common clinical presentation in feline medicine and can be caused by primary neuromuscular disease or by diseases of other body systems affecting the neuromuscular system secondarily. Successful work-up relies on a thorough clinical and neurological examination, and logical problem solving, based on an understanding of the underlying neuroanatomical and pathophysiological mechanisms. CLINICAL CHALLENGES: Feline neuromuscular diseases can be a diagnostic challenge. On initial inspection, the presenting signs can mimic disorders of other body systems, particularly cardiovascular, pulmonary and orthopaedic disease, or may be confused with systemic illnesses. Additionally, because many different pathologies of the feline neuromuscular system converge to a similar clinical phenotype, further diagnostic steps such as electrodiagnostics, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and muscle and nerve biopsies must be considered even after neuromuscular dysfunction has been identified. AUDIENCE: This review provides a framework for the clinical approach to the weak cat and gives a practical summary of neuromuscular diseases for the general practitioner and specialist alike. EVIDENCE BASE: Many diseases affecting the feline neuromuscular system have been well described in the veterinary literature, mostly based on retrospective case reports and series. The evidence base for the treatment of feline neuromuscular diseases remains very limited.