Polyarthritis in a young cat

A 3-year-old cat had polyarthritis involving both tarsal joints and the right carpal joint. The condition was associated with pyrexia and regional lymphadenopathy. The aetiology of the arthritis was not determined, but no bacterial or mycoplasmal agent could be isolated from the synovial fluid obtained from one of the affected joints. Prednisolone, administered on a reducing dosage schedule, induced lasting remission of the clinical signs.     

Diffuse alveolar injury in two dogs

Proliferative interstitial pneumonia of undetermined cause was diagnosed in 2 dogs. The clinical signs in both dogs consisted primarily of acute onset, rapid breathing, and raspy lung sounds. Radiography revealed a diffuse increase in pulmonary alveolar density. In both dogs, the primary pathologic process was diffuse alveolar pneumocyte injury, and the pulmonary lesions were similar. Proliferation of type II pneumocytes (some of which were atypical mononucleated, and others multinucleated) was a prominent feature of the interstitial pneumonia. Because of the atypical features of some pneumocytes in such cases, biopsy findings may suggest a neoplastic process. Proliferative interstitial pneumonia should be included in the differential diagnosis of a diffuse pulmonary disease that is poorly responsive to medical treatment.     

Pleural mesothelioma in a young cat

A mesothelioma was seen as an incidental finding in the thoracic cavity of an eleven-month old female cat. At necropsy, the pale nodular lesions were spread over the ventral parts of the lungs and their corresponding parts of the diaphragm and the thoracic wall. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of mesenchymal tissue with large amounts of collagenous fibers covered by a mainly unilayered, polymorphic, partly vacuolated line of cells with large nuclei. Mitotic figures were rare. Based on morphological appearance the lesion was classified as an early mesothelioma.     

Diffuse cutaneous granulomatous lesions associated with acid-fast bacilli in a cat

Feline cutaneous granulomas associated with acid-fast bacilli are reviewed briefly. A case of diffuse cutaneous granulomatous lesions associated with acid-fast bacilli and the presence of acid-fast bacilli in the draining lymph nodes and liver is reported and described. The unusual clinical appearance of the skin lesions in this case and the varied clinical presentation of lesions associated with acid-fast bacilli is discussed.     

Diffuse mesenteric lipodystrophy (massive fat necrosis) in a cat

Clinical, radiographic, and pathological findings of diffuse mesenteric lipodystrophy in a 3-year-old, female domestic short-haired cat are described. The animal had fallen from a height of approximately 20 metres 6 weeks previously, after which it developed respiratory distress and anorexia. The cat was thin, exhausted and had rapid, shallow, open-mouthed breathing. Serial upper gastrointestinal contrast radiographs showed a prolonged transit time of the contrast medium due to restricted gastric emptying, and filling defects of the duodenojejunal portions of the small intestines. The cranial abdominal cavity contained large, firm, white masses that adhered to most of the anterior abdominal organs. The intestinal walls were completely surrounded by large, hard, lobulated masses of lipomatous tissue. The masses were characterised histologically by extensive areas of coagulative necrosis of adipocytes containing foci of saponification. The lesions resembled those of massive fat necrosis or lipomatosis in cattle, pigs and deer.     

Orbito-nasal cyst in a young European short-haired cat

Purpose To describe a case of an orbito‐nasal cyst in a cat. Procedure An 18‐month‐old male European short‐haired cat was presented to the Ophthalmology service of the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich for a subcutaneous swelling in the medial canthal region of the right eye (OD). Ophthalmologic, ultrasound and CT examinations, and fine needle aspiration were performed. After lesion excision, the removed tissue was submitted for histopathology. CT examination was repeated 5 months after removal of the cyst. Results Ophthalmologic examination revealed a large fluctuant swelling inferonasal to OD. Despite patent lacrimal puncta, only the first few mm of the lacrimal canaliculi could be cannulated. A normal globe with moderate enophthalmos was present. Ultrasound examination showed a well‐defined lobulated cyst‐like structure in the right orbit, inferonasal and anterior to the eye. CT examination revealed extension of this lesion through the medial orbital wall into the right nasal cavity. Fine needle aspiration confirmed the cystic nature of the lesion. An orbito‐nasal cyst was diagnosed. The orbital part of the cyst was dissected from the surrounding tissue and excised from the periosteum in the medial orbital wall defect. Part of the maxillary bone was removed to allow removal of the cyst from the nasal cavity. Histologically, the cyst wall consisted of a single to multilayered, mostly cuboidal epithelium and surrounding connective tissue. Follow‐up revealed a good functional result and no recurrence 7 months after cyst removal. Conclusions Similar orbito‐nasal cystic structures were reported in dogs but not in cats.     

Bilateral congenital ureteral strictures in a young cat

An 8-month-old cat was presented with bilateral hydronephrosis. Bilateral ureteral obstructions were identified by diagnostic imaging and confirmed by necropsy. Histopathologic findings revealed polypoid transitional epithelial hyperplasia with chronic lymphoplasmacytic inflammation. This report documents congenital ureteral strictures as a cause of ureteral obstruction in a young cat.     

Mediastinal lymphoma in a young Turkish Angora cat

An 8-month old intact male Turkish Angora cat was referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH), Seoul National University, for an evaluation of anorexia and severe dyspnea. The thoracic radiographs revealed significant pleural effusion. A cytology evaluation of the pleural fluid strongly suggested a lymphoma containing variable sized lymphocytes with frequent mitotic figures and prominent nucleoli. The feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus tests were negative. The cat was euthanized at his owner''s request and a necropsy was performed. A mass was detected on the mediastinum and lung lobes. A histopathology evaluation confirmed the mass to be a lymphoma. Immunohistochemistry revealed the mass to be CD3 positive. In conclusion, the cat was diagnosed as a T-cell mediastinal lymphoma.     

Symptomatic Capillaria plica infection in a young European cat

An 8-month-old owned European cat showing abdominal pain, fever, distended painful bladder and urinary blockage was presented. Intravenous fluids were immediately administered and, after sedation, a urinary catheter was applied. Blood and urine analysis revealed cystitis and a moderate-to-severe degree of renal failure. About 20 thread-like nematodes, identified as Capillaria plica larvae and fragments of adult stages, were found in the urine sediment. After treatment with an oral formulation of fenbendazole at 25 mg/kg q 12 h for 10 days, urinary signs and bladder worms disappeared. Cases of Capillaria species bladder worms in cats are rarely reported and most infected cats show no clinical signs, presumably because of a low parasite burden. In the present study, feline capillariosis was associated to urethral obstruction, severe difficulties in urination, cystitis and renal failures.     

Organic acidemia in a young cat associated with cobalamin deficiency

Objective: To describe a case of severe metabolic acidosis and encephalopathy secondary to cobalamin (Cbl) deficiency in a young cat. Case summary: A 4‐year‐old spayed female domestic short hair cat weighing 2.5 kg, presented with a 2‐day history of neurological signs referable to the cerebrum. The cat was evaluated for similar episodes twice before, however, no definitive diagnosis was made for either visit. On presentation the cat was minimally responsive and had a metabolic acidosis and ketonuria with no apparent reason, such as lactic acidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis. The patient was diagnosed postmortem with an organic acidemia secondary to low Cbl levels. New or unique information provided: The purpose of this report is to alert emergency clinicians to be suspicious of an organic acidemia in any case of metabolic acidosis and ketonuria that cannot be explained. Early identification of inherited organic acidemias in domestic animals may allow prompt and appropriate treatment of these conditions.     

Polyganglioradiculoneuritis in a young cat: clinical and histopathological findings

An 18-month-old European shorthair cat was presented with a two week history of progressive decrease in consciousness, ambulatory tetraparesis, moderate ataxia and generalised decreased-to-absent postural reactions. Bilateral facial and nasal hypalgesia, absent menace response and anisocoria were found, and segmental spinal reflexes were normal. Neurological signs progressed to non-ambulatory tetraparesis, tremor and spinal hyperalgesia. Histopathological examination revealed a mild-to-moderate lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic infiltration, predominantly in the dorsal spinal roots, cranial nerves and ganglia in association with marked demyelination and proliferation of Schwann cells. Neurons and axons were preserved. Lesions were multi-focal and varied in severity. A predominantly sensory polyganglioradiculoneuritis was diagnosed. This lesion has not been reported previously in cats. Rabies, herpesviruses, feline infectious peritonitis, feline immunodeficiency virus, Toxoplasma gondii and feline leukaemia virus were excluded as possible aetiologies. Infections by other viruses or an autoimmune disease are discussed.     

Reversible pulmonary hypertension associated with lungworm infection in a young cat

Two ten-week-old kittens presented with dyspnea. Two weeks later dyspnea had worsened and both kittens had developed a heart murmur. One kitten died and necropsy showed severe granulomatous pneumonia and moderate bronchi(oli)tis and peribronchi(oli)tis caused by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. The results from echocardiography, thoracic radiography and the other kitten's fecal examination were interpreted as severe parasitic pneumonia caused by A. abstrusus infection with pulmonary hypertension. Repeated administration of milbemycine-oxime and praziquantel resulted in cessation of larvae shedding and resolution of clinical, radiographic and echocardiographic signs of bronchopneumonia and pulmonary hypertension.     

Fatal generalized feline viral rhinotracheitis in a young adult cat.

A 7-month-old cat died following a 17-day illness. Necropsy findings included sharply demarcated lingual ulcers and multifocal necrotic hepatitis. Intranuclear inclusions were found in the lesions, and a herpesvirus was recovered from specimens of liver and tongue. The virus was identified by neutralization with specific antiserum as feline rhinotracheitis virus.     

Thoracoscopic correction of a congenital persistent right aortic arch in a young cat

A 9-week-old kitten was diagnosed with a congenital vascular ring anomaly by means of an esophageal contrast study. At 6 mo of age, a non-selective vascular study was used to diagnose a persistent right aortic arch (PRAA). Left-sided thoracoscopic surgery was performed, using a Liga-Sure vessel sealant device to seal and transect the ligamentum arteriosum.     

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis of the spine in a nine‐year‐old cat

A nine‐year‐old intact female domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for paraparesis, ataxia and severe spinal hyperaesthesia. Neurological examination indicated a T3‐L3 spinal cord segment lesion. Computed tomography of the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral vertebral column was performed. This showed contiguous smooth new bone formation ventral and lateral to the vertebrae extending from the cranial thoracic area to the lumbosacral junction and appearing similar to canine diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. There was also marked dorsolateral stenosis of the vertebral canal at the level of T4‐T5 because of degenerative changes of the facet joints. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first published report of feline diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.