Page 360 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

352 PART 6 CAT WITH WEIGHT LOSS OR CHRONIC ILLNESS

Other diagnostic tests should be carried out as required
Classical signs—Cont’d
to investigate the presenting signs.
● Fever.
● Pleural and/or peritoneal effusions
Differential diagnosis
(abdominal enlargement and respiratory
The differential diagnoses will vary depending on the difficulties).
clinical manifestation(s) of the FeLV-related disease. ● Uveitis and neurological signs.
Because the clinical signs in a cat having disease
See main references on page 372 for details (The
caused by this virus are so extremely diverse, FeLV-
Pyrexic Cat).
associated disease must be considered in any chroni-
cally ill cat.
FIV infection is a principal differential diagnosis, as Clinical signs
this may also be a cause of immunosuppression and
Most common in pure-bred cats from multi-cat house-
neoplasia.
holds.
FIP is primarily seen in cats from 3 months to 3 years
Treatment
of age, although a second peak in incidence may occur
The FeLV status of the cat should not necessarily in geriatric cats.
preclude treatment for other diseases.
FIP occurs in two main forms, wet (or effusive) and
Chemotherapy has been used to treat a variety of lym- dry (non-effusive). Weight loss, variable appetite,
phomas caused by the FeLV virus. Certain forms fever, lethargy and depression occur in both forms
(mediastinal) seem to be more chemoresponsive than and may be the only clinical signs in early disease.
others (abdominal visceral).
The wet form tends to progress more rapidly, and is
Blood transfusions can give temporary help for the ane- characterized by combinations of abdominal, pleural
mic patient. or pericardial effusions.
● Non-painful abdominal enlargement is the main
Aggressive supportive care and management of sec-
clinical sign if ascites is present. Vomiting and diar-
ondary infections are essential in FeLV-positive cats.
rhea may occur as the disease advances.
All infections should be fully assessed in terms of
● Dyspnea is characteristic of pleural effusions.
extent, and appropriate treatment administered, ideally
based on culture and sensitivity results. Response to The dry form leads to clinical signs associated with
treatment may be slower in FeLV-infected cats, and so pyogranulomatous perivascular disease in multiple
sufficient duration of antibiotic must be administered. organs and clinical signs vary with the affected body
system.
A variety of immunomodulator and antiviral therapies
● This form of the disease tends to be more chronic
have been tried. As with FIV, the efficacy of these
(months) and progressive.
agents to clear the virus completely is questionable,
● Neurological (seizures, nystagmus, behavioral
although there is evidence that they may decrease total
changes, peripheral neuropathies) and ocular (pos-
viral load.
terior and anterior uveitis) involvement is common.
● The liver, kidney and abdominal lymph nodes may
FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS (FIP)* also be involved.
Classical signs
Diagnosis
● Younger cats, pedigree cats with variable
clinical signs. Definitive diagnosis is difficult, if not impossible,
● Inappetence, weight loss and depression. without histopathological examination of affected
tissues.