Steroid-responsive neutropenia in a cat with progressive feline leukemia virus infection |
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| Authors: | Evangelia M Stavroulaki Mathios E Mylonakis Eleni Papanikolaou Aristodimos Hatzis Panagiotis G Xenoulis |
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| Institution: | 1. Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece;2. Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece;3. Animal Medical Center, Athens, Greece;4. VETLAB, Athens, Greece;5. Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
Animal Medical Center, Athens, Greece |
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| Abstract: | An 8-month-old female domestic shorthair cat was presented to the Animal Medical Center with anorexia, lethargy, and mild gastrointestinal signs. A CBC revealed a profound neutropenia, and serologic testing with an in-house test kit (SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo, IDEXX) was positive for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen. Serial hematologic examinations during hospitalization showed a persistent neutropenia with occasionally severe anemia and thrombocytopenia. Prednisolone administration afforded complete hematologic remission within 3 days. Four weeks after the premature discontinuation of prednisolone, the patient relapsed; however, complete and prolonged hematologic remission was achieved after prednisolone was re-induced. Bone marrow aspiration cytology was consistent with immune-mediated destruction of the mature myeloid cells. steroid-responsive (likely immune-mediated) cytopenias rarely occur in cats with progressive FeLV infection. Although only a few cases of FeLV-positive, severely neutropenic cats that responded to immunosuppressive therapy have been reported, this case highlights that a grave prognosis should not always be given to these FeLV-positive cats. |
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