Page 608 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

600 PART 9 CAT WITH SIGNS OF GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT DISEASE

Differential diagnosis Prognosis

Portosystemic shunt – intermittent, often associated Grave.
with eating. Lack of rapid progression of signs over
7–10 days resulting in death. Confirm with post-pran- FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA (PARVO VIRUS,
dial serum bile acids.
FELINE ENTERITIS, FELINE DISTEMPER)
Pyrethrin and pyrethroid toxicity – no behavior
changes and history of exposure and serum Classical signs
cholinesterase levels (OP) will confirm diagnosis.
● Vomiting, diarrhea.
Feline spongioform encephalopathy also has combi- ● Lethargy.
nation of neurological signs and hypersalivation. ● Severe dehydration.
Histopathology differentiates. ● High mortality.

Treatment
Clinical signs
No treatment should be attempted. Almost uniformly
fatal. Usually in young (2–6 months) kittens.
Follow official guides for management of suspected Acute-onset vomiting, often severe diarrhea.
rabies case.
Fever in early stages of disease.
Rapid dehydration.
Prognosis
Severe depression.
Always grave.
Although not generally a feature of feline panleukope-
nia, continuous ptyalism has been recorded as the pre-
FELINE SPONGIOFORM dominate clinical sign in kitten with confirmed
ENCEPHALOPATHY (FSE)
panleukopenia at post-mortem examination.
Classical signs
Diagnosis
● CNS signs, progressive.
● Hypersalivation. No vaccination history, recent exposure to virus.
Panleukopenia is the most consistent clinical finding.
Complete blood counts show leukocyte counts between
Clinical signs
500 and 3000 cells per microliter during the acute
Progressive neurological signs including ataxia (espe- phase of the disease.
cially pelvic limbs), behavioral changes, hyperesthesia,
Canine parvovirus antigen fecal immunoassay will
head tremor, muscle fasciculations.
detect feline parvovirus antigen in feces of affected
Ptyalism. cats.
Viral isolation from feces or affected tissues.
Diagnosis
Histopathology.
Histopathology shows discrete vacuolation of gray
matter throughout CNS.
Treatment
Treatment Rehydration, intravenous fluids.
Supportive only. Re-establishment of electrolyte balance.