Page 374 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

366 PART 7 SICK CAT WITH SPECIFIC SIGNS

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● Chlamydophila felis* (p 381)
Conjunctivitis is the predominant sign and is often initially unilateral and becomes bilateral.
Ocular discharge is serous initially then mucopurulent, but is usually mild. Fever, anorexia and
lethargy may occur.
● Yersinia pestis (feline plague)* (p 383)
Acute onset of a high fever, anorexia and depression. Lymphadenopathy, with marked swelling over
submandibular or cervical lymph nodes, which may abscess. Pneumonic form is less common and
may have upper and lower respiratory signs with sneezing, nasal discharge, dyspnea or cough.
● Salmonella spp. (songbird fever)
Signs occur in outdoor cats which hunt. Acute onset of fever, anorexia and depression, and 50%
of cats have GI signs with vomiting and diarrhea.
● Francisella tularensis (tularemia)* (p 382)
Occurs in outdoor cats which hunt and have recent exposure to rabbits. Signs include fever,
depression, anorexia, peripheral lymphadenopathy, oral ulcerations and hepatomegaly.
● Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum* (p 385)
Chronic intermittent fever, weight loss and anorexia occur. Hyperesthesia, joint pain or irritable
disposition is common. Exposure to ticks may or may not be documented.

● Mycoplasma haemofelis and Candidatus ‘M. haemominutum’ (Haemobartonella
felis)** (p 374)
Pale mucous membranes, anorexia and depression. Fever occurs in approximately 50% of cats and
icterus may be evident.
● Bartonella henselae (cat-scratch fever)
Mild, self-limiting fever occurs in experimentally infected cats. Naturally infected cats are usually
subclinical and fever is not well documented.

Parasitic/protozoal:
● Toxoplasma gondii** (p 375)
Fever, anorexia and depression are often present. Dyspnea is common. Kittens and cats may also
have icterus, abdominal distension or pain/discomfort, ocular signs (uveitis, retinochoroiditis) or
neurologic signs.
● Cytauxzoon felis
Rapid onset of fever with lethargy, anorexia, pale mucous membranes, dehydration, icterus and
splenomegaly.
Fungal:
● Blastomyces dermatiditis (blastomycosis)
Fever, anorexia, depression and lymph-adenopathy occur together with respiratory signs (dyspnea,
coughing). Ocular signs are frequent. Signs are more common in dogs than cats.
● Coccidioides immitis
Clinical disease is uncommon in cats. Fever, anorexia and depression are common. Skin lesions
occur in 50% of cats with nodules progressing to abscesses. Respiratory, musculoskeletal and ocular
signs are less common.