Spinal cord granuloma due to Coccidioides immitis in a cat

A6-year-old 5.5-kg female spayed domestic short-haired cat from Tucson, AZ, presented with an ˜5-day history of progressive pelvic limb weakness. The owners had returned from a weekend away to find the cat unable to use her left pelvic limb. Approximately 2 months previously, the cat had a cough and was treated for presumptive asthma with 5 mg prednisone PO q24h. The cat had a similar cough 1 year previously and seasonal allergy was suspected. The cough resolved and prednisone treatment was discontinued. Other past pertinent history included a skin problem ˜4 years previously that was described as alopecia, erythema, and pruritus of a pelvic limb. This problem had been diagnosed as an allergy and had since resolved. The cat was housed exclusively indoors and had been adopted as a kitten from a local retail store. Viral titers (FeLV and FIV) were negative, and regular vaccinations and veterinary examinations had been completed     

Aberrant migration and surgical removal of a heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) from the femoral artery of a cat

A cat was evaluated for an acute‐onset of right pelvic limb paresis. Thoracic radiographs revealed normal cardiac size and tortuous pulmonary arteries. Abdominal ultrasound identified a heartworm (HW) extending from the caudal abdominal aorta into the right external iliac artery and right femoral artery. The cat was HW‐antigen positive. Echocardiography revealed a HW within the right branch of the main pulmonary artery and evidence of pulmonary hypertension. An agitated‐saline contrast echocardiogram revealed a small right to left intracardiac shunt at the level of the atria. Surgical removal of the HW was performed with no substantial postoperative complications. There was return of blood flow and improved motor function to the limb. The cat remains mildly paretic on the affected limb with no other clinical signs.     

Metastatic carcinoma in the ulna of a cat secondary to a suspected pulmonary tumour

A 14-year-old male neutered Burmese cat presented for investigation of right fore limb lameness that was non-responsive to anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids. Thoracic radiography showed multiple pulmonary soft tissue nodules and a larger cavitated mass. Right elbow radiographs revealed marked peri-articular proliferation of new bone and periosteal reaction primarily affecting the ulna. Histopathological examination of an incisional biopsy of the right ulna revealed neoplastic proliferation of epithelial cells; this was confirmed as a poorly differentiated carcinoma with immunohistochemistry. Amputation of the right fore limb was performed at the owner's request. After surgery, radiographs of the limb showed progression of bone proliferation. Repeat pathological analysis confirmed a metastatic carcinoma. The cat deteriorated 3 days after surgery and was euthanased a week later as a result of severe respiratory distress. This case represents an unusual case of metastasis of a suspected primary lung tumour to the ulna in a Burmese cat.     

Physeal dysplasia with slipped capital femoral epiphysis in a cat

A 14-month-old, intact male cat presented with acute onset, severe right hind limb lameness. Pelvic radiographs, excision of the femoral head, and histopathologic examination resulted in a diagnosis of physeal dysplasia with slipped capital femoral epiphysis. The cat rapidly regained use of the affected limb.     

VERTEBRAL OSTEOSCLEROSIS IN A CAT SECONDARY TO RHABDOMYOSARCOMA

A 5–year–old cat was presented for pelvic limb weakness. Sclerosis of the vertebral body of T–10 was visible on thoracic radiographs. A compressive lesion at this area was noted on myelography. A tumor was partially removed at surgery, but the cat was killed because of poor postoperative response. Rhabdomyosarcoma was diagnosed at necropsy, with bone marrow necrosis and myelofibrosis, and new bone proliferation of the body of T–10. Causes of bone necrosis are discussed.     

Surgical management of multi-system trauma in a cat

A cat was presented in coma following severe trauma. The cat was alert and walking within 24 hours, after treatment with intravenous dexamethasone and mannitol. However, he subsequently began to show evidence of severe abdominal pain. An exploratory laparotomy revealed traumatic avulsion of the left limb of the pancreas. A sub-total pancreatectomy was performed and the cat recovered well. Two weeks post-operatively, the cat was re-presented with ataxia, proprioceptive deficits, and upper motor neuron weakness in all four limbs. Radiographs revealed a fracture/luxation of C1–C2 which could not be adequately stabilized solely via a dorsal approach. A combined ventral and dorsal approach produced stabilization of the cervical spine which was clinically successful. Two months post-operatively there was stability but malalignment of C1–C2, and the cat appeared normal.     

Unilateral forelimb partial aphalangia in a kitten

Congenital limb deformities are rarely reported in the cat. The macroscopic and radiographic features of aphalangia are described in a 2-month-old male kitten showing a shortened limb that ended, at the level of the carpus, in a stump without digits. A nail was present at the level of the first phalanx and on the palmar surface only two footpads were present. The radiographs showed an absence of phalanges. The first metacarpal and the proximal and distal phalanges of digit 1 were present. The deformed metacarpal bones were reduced in length; the carpal bones were incompletely ossified. This defect is a rare condition in many animal species. To the author's knowledge, the congenital fore limb deformity described here is the first documented case in a cat.     

SPINAL SUBARACHNOID CYST IN A CAT

A 7-year-old neutered female domestic short hair cat was presented with hind limb ataxia. A subarachnoid cyst in the T10-T11 spinal cord region was identified by myelography as a collection of contrast medium in the subarachnoid space.     

DISSEMINATED HISTOPLASMOSIS WITH OSSEOUS LESIONS IN A CAT WITH FELINE LYMPHOSARCOMA

A cat was presented with a non-weight-bearing lameness of the left thoracic limb, painful joints and lymphadenopathy. Marked bilateral osteolysis of the distal radial and ulnar metaphyses was detected radiographically. A post mortem diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis and feline lymphosarcoma was made.     

Spinal cord injury resulting from incorrect microchip placement in a cat

A 2-year-old, male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented for investigation of an acute onset of tetraparesis immediately following the implantation of a pet identification microchip. A left-sided C6-T2 spinal segment localisation was suspected from the neurological examination, with spinal cord trauma being the primary differential diagnosis. Myelography demonstrated obliteration of the contrast columns by the microchip at the C5-C6 intervertebral disc space. A dorsal laminectomy was undertaken and the microchip was successfully removed. Eleven months after the surgery, the cat was able to weight bear in all limbs but with mild residual paresis in the left thoracic limb.     

Intra‐operative hyperthermia in a cat with a fatal outcome

HistoryA four year old male neutered Domestic Short Hair cat presented for general anaesthesia for hind limb orthopaedic surgery. The cat had been anaesthetized four days previously with propofol and isoflurane and made an uneventful recovery.Physical Examination and ManagementOn pre-anaesthetic examination the cat had a temperature of 38.9 °C and was otherwise healthy. After a premedication of acepromazine and pethidine, anaesthesia was induced with thiopental and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen 50% and nitrous oxide 50%. Increases in heart rate, respiratory rate, end tidal carbon dioxide tension and temperature were observed, occurring sequentially, from 110 to 175 minutes after anaesthetic induction. Despite ceasing all warming measures and attempting to cool the patient, body temperature continued to rapidly rise, reaching 42.5 °C and limb rigidity was observed. Isoflurane administration was stopped and esmolol was administered. Cardiac arrest occurred. Cardio-pulmonary cerebral resuscitation was commenced and a lateral thoracotomy was performed to allow cardiac compressions and internal defibrillation. Atropine, adrenaline, glucose and dopamine were administered and cold saline was instilled into the thoracic cavity.Follow-upResuscitation was unsuccessful and the cat died.ConclusionsA presumptive diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia was made. Malignant hyperthermia should be considered, even if prior exposure to volatile inhalational anaesthesia was uneventful, and prompt and aggressive therapy instituted.     

Generalized Osteosclerosis in a Cat

A 12-year-old, neutered male, domestic long-hair cat was evaluated for a 6-month history of inspiratory stertor and epiphora. In computed tomography of the skull and pelvis, and radiographs of the thorax, right femur and stifle there was generalized osteosclerosis, with obliteration of the nasal turbinates and nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The cat also had a large fibrosarcoma involving the right pelvic limb. Osteosclerosis is a rare disorder that is poorly understood but has been described in several species. Various manifestations, potential causes, and radiologic findings of osteosclerosis are discussed.     

Metastatic synovial cell sarcoma in two cats

Synovial cell sarcoma (SCS) with metastasis to the regional lymph node was diagnosed in two cats. Synovial cell sarcomas are rare in cats and metastatic SCS has not previously been reported. In both cases, treatment consisted of limb amputation and adjuvant doxorubicin. Local tumour recurrence and pulmonary metastases were diagnosed in one cat 316 days postoperatively. This cat died of chronic renal failure 444 days after limb amputation. The second cat died of an acute pulmonary thromboembolism 41 days postoperatively without evidence of local tumour recurrence or metastatic disease.     

Neuropathic pain in a cat post-amputation

Phantom limb pain is a form of neuropathic pain experienced by human patients who have had amputations. To date there are no reported cases of phantom limb pain in the veterinary literature. A cat presented with signs consistent with neuropathic or phantom limb pain 42 days after iatrogenic sciatic nerve injury and 38 days after subsequent hind limb amputation. Multimodal analgesic therapy resulted in resolution of signs of pain.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF LYMPHOMA INVOLVING THE BRACHIAL PLEXUS IN A CAT

An 11-year-old, neutered, female Domestic Long Hair cat had a 3-week history of left forelimb lameness. Conscious proprioception and postural reflexes were absent on the left thoracic limb. The cat had slightly reduced placing and hopping responses on the left pelvic limb, absent cutaneous trunci muscle reflex on the left side, and left triceps muscle atrophy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 2 x 2 x 2 cm mass in the region of the left brachial plexus. The cat was treated by left forelimb amputation and hemilaminectomy. Histopathology of the brachial plexus revealed lymphoma.     

Epitheliotropic T-cell gastrointestinal tract lymphosarcoma with metastases to lung and skeletal muscle in a cat

An Abyssinian cat examined because of hypoproteinemia and weight loss was found to have epitheliotropic T-cell lymphosarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract. Neoplastic lymphocytes infiltrated the epithelium and lamina propria of the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Metastatic foci were found in the lungs and the musculature of the right hind limb. Chemotherapy resulted in transient shrinkage of the lung and limb masses; however, these masses grew to approximately their original size within 2 weeks after initiation of treatment, and the cat was euthanatized.     

Partial lateral corpectomy for ventral extradural thoracic spinal cord compression in a cat

A 7-year-old, female spayed, domestic shorthair cat was presented for ambulatory paraparesis. No trauma history was reported. Myelography and subsequent computed tomography revealed multiple ventrally located extradural spinal cord compressive lesions possibly due to intervertebral disc disease. Compression at the level of Th3-Th4 intervertebral disc space was considered responsible for the paraparesis. The lesion was approached via a right-sided lateral partial corpectomy as described for dogs. Complete spinal decompression was achieved, as documented intraoperatively by visual inspection and palpation of the spinal canal. No surgery related complications were encountered and the cat improved gradually within 8 weeks after the procedure. At 1 year follow-up only a slight proprioceptive deficit in the right hind limb could be noted. This is the first report of partial lateral corpectomy in a cat and should encourage the use of this technique even in small patients.     

Avulsion of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle in a cat

A 7-year-old male, castrated, domestic shorthair cat was presented with a plantigrade stance of the left pelvic limb. An avulsion of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle was diagnosed based on clinical examination and radiographic assessment. Surgical reduction and fixation were achieved with modified locking loop sutures through bone tunnels in the supracondylar tuberosity of the distal femur. Additionally, a temporary calcaneotibial positional screw was placed in order to neutralise forces on the gastrocnemius muscle. No postoperative complications were encountered and the cat made a full recovery.     

Appendicular arterial tumor embolization in two cats with pulmonary carcinoma

A 13-year-old neutered male Persian cat and an 11-year-old neutered female Persian cat were examined because of an acute onset of lameness. In both cats, conscious proprioception and reflexes were diminished in the affected limb. In 1 cat, no blood flow was detected in the left brachial artery with a Doppler ultrasonic flow detector, whereas blood flow in the right brachial artery was easily documented. In the other cat, the right femoral pulse was not palpable. Neither cat had any echocardiographic evidence of cardiac disease. In both cats, treatment was primarily supportive. One cat died, and the other was euthanatized. At necropsy, lung lobe consolidation was seen. Microscopically, there was multifocal infiltration of the lung parenchyma with cuboidal to columnar neoplastic epithelial cells. Neoplastic epithelial cells of similar morphology were identified in nodular masses in sections of muscle, and intravascular tumor emboli were identified obliterating small and large arterioles. Immunohistochemical staining of pulmonary and muscular tissue for pan-cytokeratin antigen revealed intense cytoplasmic staining of neoplastic cells. Staining for factor VIII-related antigen confirmed that clusters of neoplastic cells represented intravascular emboli. Clinical signs in the cats were attributed to arterial occlusion by tumor emboli.     

Spontaneous capital femoral physeal fracture in a cat

A young neutered male cat was presented with a 1-week history of left hind limb lameness. Pain and crepitus were identified on manipulation of the left coxofemoral joint. Radiographic evaluation led to the diagnosis of physeal dysplasia with slipped capital femoral epiphysis of the left femur, which did not respond to conservative management.