Page 427 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

20 – THE CAT WITH ENLARGED LYMPH NODES 419

Do not perform necropsy if anthrax suspected. Diagnosis
Identification of a large bacillus on stained blood smear Exposure history (Glossina spp. [tsetse flies] vectors),
from marginal ear vein or other peripheral vein, or on clinical signs, serologic testing for antibodies to
stained smear from aspiration biopsy of tissue. Trypanasoma sp.

Culture of Bacillus anthracis from aspirated material. The cat is highly susceptible to experimental infection
with certain African Trypanasoma sp., but natural
infection is rarely encountered clinically.
AMERICAN TRYPANOSOMIASIS

Classical signs
TOXOPLASMOSIS
● Acute and chronic right-sided heart failure.
Classical signs
Clinical signs ● Anorexia, fever, dyspnea and signs of
ocular inflammation in mature cats.
The cat is susceptible to infection in South America and
● Fading neonate.
may act as a reservoir host.
Clinical disease has not been formally described but is See main reference on page 432 for details (The Yellow
stated to be similar to dogs. Cat or Cat With Elevated Liver Enzymes), page 375
(The Pyrexic Cat).
Generalized lymphadenopathy is present during acute
infection in dogs, in addition to signs due to myocardi-
tis (acute death, collapse, hypothermia, pale mucous
Clinical signs
membranes, weak pulses, arrhythmias, dyspnea).
Common signs include fever, uveitis, dyspnea (pneu-
Diagnosis monia), vomiting, diarrhea, icterus (hepatitis and
hepatic necrosis), mesenteric lymphadenopathy,
Diagnosis is based on exposure history (Triatomae muscle pain and neurologic signs.
[kissing bugs] vectors), clinical signs, serologic testing
Generalized peripheral lymphadenopathy may be
for antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi, and identification
present, which is due to reactive lymphoid hyperplasia
of trypomastigotes in buffy coat smears.
and not Toxoplasma-induced lymphadenitis.
AFRICAN TRYPANOSOMIASIS
Diagnosis
Classical signs Acute systemic toxoplasmosis typically affects kittens,
or immunosuppressed cats, which usually have a his-
● Fulminant disease resembling
tory of chronic disease.
overwhelming sepsis.
Confirmation is by measuring serum IgM antibodies
Clinical signs or demonstrating rising serum IgG antibodies.
The organism occasionally may be seen in airway wash
Fever, generalized edema, purulent nasal and ocu-
cytology of cats with pneumonia.
lar discharges, signs of disseminated intravascular
coagulation, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly and Peripheral lymph node biopsy may reveal hyperplasia.
neurologic signs. Mesenteric lymph node biopsy may reveal necrosis.