Page 393 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

19 – THE PYREXIC CAT 385

Prognosis for the pneumonic form is guarded to fair. Age range of cats with documented disease was 2–10
years of age, with no breed or sex predilection
Prognosis for septicemic form is guarded.
reported.
Persistent fever > 40˚C (104˚F) despite treatment is
Infection has a variable effect on appetite, from mild
associated with a poor prognosis.
inappetence to anorexia and mild to moderate weight
loss.
Transmission
Chronic intermittent fever in the moderate range is
Y. pestis has a serious zoonotic potential, and great
common.
care should be taken in suspect cats to prevent trans-
mission to humans and other cats. Lymphadenopathy was reported in three of 23 cats.
● Infected cats are no longer a zoonotic risk after
Hyperesthesia, joint pain or irritable disposition is
3 days of antibiotic therapy.
common.
Transmission occurs via rodent flea bites or inges-
Complete blood counts may show a non-regenerative
tion of infected animals.
anemia with a leukopenia or a leukocytosis; thrombo-
Infection can also occur via inhalation of aerosolized cytopenia is present in about 25% of the cats.
organism, either from aspirates of infected tissue or
Biochemistry abnormalities are uncommon, except for
nasal discharge/sneezing of cats with pneumonic
hyperglobulinemia in about 33% of documented cases.
form.
Diagnosis
Prevention
A complete blood count and biochemistry panel consis-
Confine cats indoors in endemic areas. tent with chronic Ehrlichia spp. infection is suggestive.
Discourage hunting behavior especially during the peak Diagnosis is by demonstrating E. canis and/or Anaplasma
flea season (April to October). phagocytophilum serum antibody titers or a positive
IFA test.
Provide effective flea control to prevent flea bites.
Demonstration of morulae in mononuclear cells, neu-
trophils or eosinophils (rare) is diagnostic.
EHRLICHIA SPP. AND ANAPLASMA PCR assays can be positive.
PHAGOCYTOPHILUM*

NEOPLASIA
Classical signs
● Anorexia and weight loss. Classical signs
● Fever.
● Anorexia, lethargy, weight loss.
● Lymphadenopathy.
● ± Fever.
● Lameness.
● Signs depend on tumor type and organ
● Non-specific hyperesthesia.
system involved.
See main reference on page 547 for details (The Anemic
Cat). Clinical signs

Anorexia, lethargy and weight loss.
Clinical signs Poorly groomed coat.
This disease is uncommonly reported in cats and is Some cats have a fever associated with neoplasia,
difficult to diagnose because of its vague and variable which is generally a secondary neoplastic syndrome.
clinical signs. Tumors which destroy the bone marrow and result in