Page 403 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

20 – THE CAT WITH ENLARGED LYMPH NODES 395

● Cutaneous/subcutaneous foreign body reaction* (p 406)
Local lymphadenopathy occurs due to hyperplasia or lymphadenitis, secondary to aseptic or septic
inflammation around the foreign body. Other localizing clinical signs include erythema, warmth and
pain on palpation, swelling or thickening of tissue, and wounds.

● Oral cavity diseases* (p 406)
Mandibular lymphadenopathy results from hyperplasia or lymphadenitis. Signs of oral cavity disease are
present, including halitosis, gingivitis, ulceration and masses.
INFECTIOUS
Viral:
● Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection** (p 398)
Generalized lymphadenopathy occurs due to hyperplasia during acute and persistent viremia.
Lymphadenopathy may also result from lymphoma or secondary infection. Cats may otherwise be
normal, or have lethargy, inappetence and fever. Localizing signs of infection or neoplasia may
also be present.

● Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection** (p 398)
Generalized lymphadenopathy occurs due to hyperplasia during acute and chronic clinical stages of
infection. Lymphadenopathy may also result from lymphoma or secondary infection. Cats may other-
wise be normal, or have lethargy, inappetence and fever. Localizing signs of infection or neoplasia may
also be present.
Bacterial:
● Acute cat-bite wound cellulitis/abscess** (p 401)
Local to regional lymphadenopathy occurs due to hyperplasia. Other localizing clinical signs
include erythema, warmth and pain on palpation, swelling or thickening of tissue, and wounds.
Systemic signs may be present including lethargy, inappetence and fever.
● Juvenile streptococcal lymphadenitis (p 415)
Cervical lymphadenopathy occurs due to lymph node abscessation in kittens. Kittens are depressed,
inappetent and febrile.
● Mycobacterial infections* (p 407)
Generalized lymphadenopathy results from granulomatous lymphadenitis in tuberculosis, and accompa-
nies chronic vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss. Regional lymphadenopathy due to hyperplasia may
accompany cutaneous nodules in leprosy, and occur with chronic ulcerated subcutaneous lesions in
atypical mycobacteriosis.
● (Pyo)granulomatous bacterial infections*, mycoplasma and L-form infections,
miscellaneous bacterial infections* (p 408)
Local to generalized lymphadenopathy results from hyperplasia or lymphadenitis and often accompanies
an acute or chronic wound. Systemic signs may be present including lethargy, inappetence and fever.
● Plague* (p 404)
Fulminant disease with head and neck lymphadenopathy resulting from abscessation and/or necrosis.
Cats are highly susceptible to plague. Cats typically have acute onset of high fever, depression and
anorexia.

continued