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Top Feline
Top Feline
FELINE
CONTAGIOUS
DISEASES
Feline
Leukemia
Takes
months
or
years
for
CS
to
show;
kittens
Transmitted
via
saliva,
snot,
milk,
or
urine/feces
CS:
loss
of
appetite,
progressive
weight
loss
Poor
coat,
enlarged
LN,
persistent
fever
Pale
MM,
gingivitis
&
stomatitis
2
infections
(skin,
UB,
URT),
diarrhea
Tests
1)
Screening
!
ANTIGEN
ELISA
2)
Confirmatory
!
IFA
Repeat
test
~3
months
to
ensure
true
+
Tx
–
no
cure
Prevention:
Prevent
exposure
to
FeLV
cats
Vaccines
available,
efficacy
questionable
Prognosis:
MST
2.5
years
Close
monitoring,
supportive
care
Feline
Immunodeficiency
Virus
Attacks
immune
system,
cat
becomes
vulnerable
to
infections
Transmitted:
Biting
*
free-‐roaming,
male
cat
CS:
poor
coat;
persistent
fever
with
loss
of
appetite
Gingivitis
&
stomatitis,
chronic/recurrent
infections
Slow,
progressive
weight
loss
Increases
chances
of
developing
cancer
Tests
1)
ANTIBODY
ELISA
2)
Western
Blot
3)
IFA
dependent
on
host
immune
response
to
FIV
False
+
may
occur,
use
confirmatory
test
<6
mo,
repeat
every
60d
until
they
are
6mo,
if
queen
is
+
1
**
Vaccines
interfere
with
Dx
Tx:
None,
no
definitive
cure
Prognosis:
MST
~5
years
Prevention:
Avoid
exposure,
survives
hours
in
environment
Vaccines
available,
not
core
Risk
of
vaccine
induced
sarcoma
Feline
Infectious
Peritonitis
Mutated
coronavirus
Most
prevalent
in
multicat
households;
rare
dz
Young
cats
<2
years,
>10
years
Transmitted
via
saliva
&
feces
Queen
!
offspring
Clinical
FIP:
gradual
onset
over
days/weeks
Waxing-‐waning
fever
(doesn’t
respond
to
Abx)
Anorexia;
decreased
appetite
Weight
loss
Unkempt
appearance
1)
WET
FORM:
Fluid
collects
in
cat’s
body
abdomen
or
heart
Short
survival
(days
to
1
week)
2)
DRY
FORM:
“organ
failure”
kidney/liver
failure
neuro
dysfunction
ocular
dz
may
survive
a
little
longer
Tests
1)
PM
or
biopsied
tissue
Histopathology
IHC
*FCoV
antibodies
just
show
exposure
**
Dx
by
exclusion
2)
Lab
abnormalities
Hyperproteinemia
Increased
globulin,
Increased
albumin
2
Neutrophilia
AG
ratio
<0.6
Prognosis:
Fatal
Prevention:
Keep
cat
indoors
(prevent
exposures)
Vaccines
INEFFECTIVE
ORGAN
DISEASES
Renal
Failure
“Chronic
Kidney
Failure”
Geriatric
cat,
inherited
polycystic
kidney
dz
in
Persians
Persistent
loss
of
kidney
function
over
time
Build-‐up
of
waste
products
in
bloodstream
that
normally
removed
by
kidneys
CS:
ill,
appear
lethargic;
unkempt
Lose
weight,
hypertension
(eyes,
brain,
HALLMARKS
heart)
• Azotemia
Lose
ability
to
[
]
urine
(low
USG)
• PU/PD
Urinate
large
volumes
• Isosthenuria
Drink
more
water
(1.008-‐1.012)
Acidosis;
Anemia
Tests
1)
Biochem:
inc
BUN
and
creatinine
Electrolyes
dec
K+,
inc
P
2)
US:
small,
irregular
kidneys
3)
U/A:
pH,
USH
(isosthenuria)
abnormal
cells
urine
(protein,
blood
cells,
bacteria)
4)
Blood
pressure
Tx:
no
cure,
management
Minimize
build-‐up
toxic
waste
Adequate
hydration
Fix
electrolyte
disturbances
Nutrition:
low
protein,
high
fibre
low
P
and
Na
Control
BP
Urinary
protein
loss
!
ACE
inhibitors
3
Anemia
!
erythropoietin
PO,
blood
transfusion
(sick!)
Prognosis:
Variable
earlier
Tx,
better
Px
DDx:
Diabetes
Mellitus
Hyperthyroidism
Hepatic
Lipidosis
Primary
dz
causes
anorexia,
which
leads
to
HL
in
overconditioned
cats
Peripheral
fat
mobilization
exceeds
hepatic
capacity
to
redistribute
or
use
for
B-‐oxidation
!
hepatic
cytosolic
expansion
from
fat
stores
"
“compression
cholestasis”
CS:
food
avoidance,
salivation,
vomiting
Dramatic
weight
loss
Lethargy,
pallor,
neck
ventroflexion
Hepatomegaly,
jaundice
Ileus
!
electrolyte
disturbances
+/-‐
bleeding
tendency
–
hypokalemia
Tests
1)
CBC
–
nonregen
anemia,
poikilocytosis
Inc
#
Heinz
bodies
2)
Biochem
-‐
hyperbilirubinemia
(+/-‐
urine)
Inc
ALT
&
AST,
marked
inc
ALP
Inc
GGT
(1°
–
pancreas,
liver,
GB)
3)
PIVKA
clotting
time
–
assess
vit
K
sufficiency
4)
U/S
–
homogenous
hyperechoic
liver
+
organomegaly
+/-‐
biopsy
of
liver
Tx:
Correct
fluid
&
electrolyte,
metabolic
abnormalities
Initiate
food
intake!
Px:
Good,
early
diagnosis
(fix
underlying
dz,
full
care)
Recurrence
is
rare
*Best
fluids
to
use
is
0.9%
NaCl
+
K+
(on
ideal
BCS,
not
weight)
4
ENDOCRINE
DISEASES
Diabetes
Mellitus
"
Burmese
over
represented,
>7
years,
male
Type
2:
Peripheral
insulin
resistance
most
common
in
cats
a)
Uncomplicated
–
urinary
&
immune
systems
b)
Chronic/Uncontrolled
–
polyneuropathy,
hepatic
dz
(HL),
bacterial
infections
CS:
PU/PD,
weight
loss
Insulin
deticiency
Lethargy,
unkempt
coat
Plantigrade
stance
(neuropathy
of
tibial
n.)
Hyerglycemia
Unhibited
hepatic
glucose
Protein
production
Hepatic
Lipidosis
Lipid
Impaired
glucose
tissue
entry
Ketoacidosis
Decrease
K+
Muscle
Catabolism
Wasting
Persistent
hyperglycemia
Poor
wound
healing
Above
renal
RESULTS
IN:
threshold
>200-‐300
mg/dL
Endothelial Damage
Glucosuria
Immunosuppression
Suppress
Insulin
Perputuate
diabetes
Lab
Findings:
Glucose
Toxicity
secretion
Permanent
B-‐cell
loss
CS
Mild
anemia
Inc
cholesterol
Inc
triglycerides
Inc
AST,
ALP
+/-‐
ketones
urine
UTI
5
Tests
1)
CS
+
History
2)
Persistent
hyperglycemia
&
glucosuria
Tx:
Consistent
feedigs
Low
CHO,
high
protein
High
fibre,
low
fat
Long-‐acting
insulin
(controlled)
q12
hours
Glargine*,
PZI*,
NPH,
lente
Prognosis:
Lifelong
Tx,
monitoring
Controlled
can
live
months
to
years
Prevention:
Minimize
obesity
DDx:
Hyperthyroidism
CKD
EPI
Hyperthyroidism
Middle
age-‐OLD
cats
CS:
weight
loss
with
polyphagia
PU/PD
Unkempt
coat
Hyperactivity
+/-‐
HCM
!
heart
murmur,
hypertension
Tests
1)
PE
–
palpable
thyroid
nodule
(+/-‐)
Blood
pressure
2)
Thyroid
hormone
levels
–
increased
T4
3)
CBC/Biochem
-‐
erythrocytosis
stress
leukogram
Inc
BUN
Dec
USG
Inc
ALT,
ALP
Tx:
methimazole
(not
cure,
good
control)
I-‐131
radioactive
therapy
**
Thyroidectomy
Prognosis:
Good,
unless
complicated
by
another
dz
6
CANCER
TOP
3
TUMOURS:
1. Hematopoietic
2. Skin
&
SubQ
!
basal
cell
3. Mammary
gland
Lymphoma
>10-‐12
years
old,
associated
with
FeLV
and
FIV
infections
CS:
weight
loss,
poor
appetite
Lethargy
Lympadenopathy
Tests:
1)
Test
for
FeLV
2)
CBC/Biochem
–
organ
involvement
indicator
3)
FNA
–
enlarged
LN
Tx:
Fatal,
chemotherapy
1)
Multicentric
form
-‐
multiple
LN
-‐
closely
associated
with
FeLV
-‐
Px
poor
2)
Mediastinal
form
–
Chest
cavity
!
thymus
&
LN
3)
Alimentary
form
–
digestive
tract
+
LN
-‐
most
common
*
-‐
9-‐13
years
with
Hx
of
vomit,
dh,
weight
loss,
inappetence
Prognosis:
Chemo
remission
6-‐9
months
No
Tx
!
MST
4
weeks
Mammary
Tumours
>10
years,
female
Siamese
85%
lethal
malignant
adenocarcinomas
Originate
in
epithelial
tissue
of
gland
near
nipple
!
metastasize
to
LN,
lungs,
pleura,
liver,
adrenals,
kidney
ANATOMY:
2
chains
of
4
mammary
glands
+
nipples
Risk:
unaltered
females
have
higher
hormones
Tests
1)
*Biopsy
–
histopath
7
2)
Chest
rads
+
abdominal
U/S
Tx:
Spread
-‐
chemo
Local
–
mastectomy
Prognosis:
Good
if
mass
<2cm
Prevention:
Spay
<6
months
old
Squamous
Cell
Carcinoma
Most
common
oral
tumour;
middle
age-‐older
white
cats
Locally
invasive
and
difficult
to
control
with
low
rate
of
metastasis
Risk:
smoking
owners;
flea
collars,
canned
food
Solar
dermitis
–
actinic
keratosis
precedes
development
of
cutaneous
SCC
CS:
large,
ulcerated
tumours
anywhere
in
the
mouth
Often
invades
bone
=
PAINFUL
Painful
facial
swelling,
ptyalism
Decreased
appetite
Test
1)
Biopsy
mass
2)
FNA
of
LN
3)
Chest
rads
(spread?)
Tx:
Sx
+
radiation
NSAIDs
Prognosis:
MST
3-‐6
months,
poor
Px
Prevent:
topical
pet
sunblock
1,
2,
3
RULE
Injection
site
fibrosarcoma
Continues
to
grow
1
Locally
aggressive
tumours
month
later
1
out
10,000
vaccines
Larger
than
2
cm
Still
present
after
3
Rabies
&
FeLV
vaccines
most
often
months
Tests
1)
Biopsy
–
necrosis,
inflammation
(LOs,
MOs)
-‐
mitotic
figures
2)
Chest
Rads
–
metastasis?
Tx:
Surgery
1)
radical
excision
=
3-‐5cm
lateral
margins
2
fascial
planes
8
2)
Limb
amputation
Prognosis
–
Recurrence
rate
>90%
-‐ 2
months
conservative
sx
-‐ 9
months
radical
sx
-‐ 16
months
with
clean
margins
Prevention:
Don’t
over
vaccinate
Vaccinate
as
distal
on
limbs
as
possible
TOXICITIES
Pyrethrin
Unable
to
metabolize
due
to
lack
of
enzyme
FATAL
if
not
Tx
CS:
ptyalism
vomiting
hiding
Agitation
incoordination
shaking/twitching
Seizures
dyspnea
Tx:
decontamination
(bath),
fluids
Anti-‐seizure
meds
Muscle
relaxers
!
methocarbamol
Prognosis:
Good
–
if
caught
early
Poor
–
neuro
or
organ
damage
(kidneys)
Prevention:
Avoid
dog
flea
spot-‐ons
Don’t
use
in
gardens
SYSTEMIC
DISEASES
URINARY
Feline
Lower
Urinary
Tract
Disease
(FLUTD)
>10
year
old,
underlying
illness
CS:
dysuria,
stranguria,
haematuria,
pollakiuria
Most
common
urolith
è
calcium
oxalate
Urinating
in
inappropriate
places
Male
!
urethral
obstruction
Persians
!
idiopathic
cystitis/urolithiasis
Tests
1)
CBC/Biochem
-‐
BUN
&
creatinine
(kidney
fx)
-‐ T4
(hyperthyroidism)
-‐ Glucose
+/-‐ketones
(DM)
9
2)
UA
–
cysto!
3)
U/S
–
uroliths
-‐
bladder
wall
thickness
=
inflammation
Tx:
increase
water
intake
(canned
food)
Anti-‐inflammatory
!
corticosteroids,
NSAIDs
Anticholinergic
!
decreased
bladder
spasticity
TCA
!
amitriptylime
“anticholinergic
+
anxiolytic
+
analgesic”
Prevention:
canned
food
diet
DDx:
1)
non-‐obstructive
–
idiopathic
cystitis
-‐ urolithiasis
-‐ urethral
stricture
-‐ neoplasia
2)
Obstructive
-‐
urethral
plug
-‐
uroliths
(struvite
or
oxalate)
-‐
obstructivie
idiopathic
cystitis
(urethral
spasm)
NEUROLOGICAL
Rabies
Once
signs
appear
=
FATAL;
may
take
weeks-‐months
Virus
shed
in
saliva
CS:
sudden
behavioural
change
Unexplained
paralysis
that
worsens
1)
Furious
–
irritable,
attacks
viciously
-‐
alert
+
anxious,
pupils
dilated
-‐
progresses
to
seizures
2)
Paralytic
–
paralysis
of
throat
and
jaw
m.
-‐
excessive
salivation
and
inability
to
swallow
**
death
by
progressive
paralysis
Tests
1)
Euthanize
and
send
brain
tissue
to
lab
• medulla
oblongata
+
cerebellum
• NOT
FROZEN
Prognosis:
Always
fatal
Prevention:
Vaccinate,
avoid
wild
animals
10
VIRAL
Panleukopenia
Parvovirus,
highly
contagious
Kittens
(3-‐5
months
old),
sick
cats
or
unvaccinated
Infects
&
kills
rapidly
dividing
cells
Bone
marrow,
intestines,
fetus
Transmission:
urine,
stool,
nasal
secretions
ISOLATE
CS:
most
are
subclinical
a)
Peracutue:
sudden
death
b)
Acute:
fever,
depression,
anorexia
vomiting
1-‐2
days
later
"
extreme
dehydration
terminal;
hypothermic,
septic
!
DIC
Tests:
CS
+
unvaccinated
+
leukopenia
Lab:
hypoglycaemia
Hypoproteinemia
Anemia
2
infections
LEUKOPENIA
!!
esp.
Neutrophils
Tx:
fluids
+
isolation
atbx
antiemtics
Prevention:
VACCINATE
(MLV)
DDx:
Salmonella
FeLV
or
FIV
RESPIRATORY
Feline
Respiratory
Disease
Complex
Rhinotracheitis
+
Calicivirus
+
Chlamydia
1)
Rhino
–
feline
Herpesvirus-‐1
-‐
acute
URT
infection
-‐
fever,
freq.
sneezing,
conjunctivitis,
rhinitis
2)
Calicivirus
–
hard
to
differentiate
from
rhino
-‐
mild
to
no
sighs;
pulmonary
edema
+
pneumonia
-‐
mouth
lesions
11
**
“Limping
Syndrome”
-‐
Rhino
+
Calicivirus
-‐
kittens,
80-‐90%
prevalence
3)
Feline
pneumonitis
-‐
Chlamydia
psittaci
-‐
conjunctivitis,
sneezing,
eye
dc
+/-‐
fever
Tx:
supportive
+
antibiotics
(2
infections)
Antihistamines
Corneal
ulcers
(FHV-‐1)
–
ointment
(atbx
+
antiviral)
Prevention:
VACCINES
–
FHV
+
calicivirus
Avoid
overcrowding
Fungal
Respiratory
Disease
Source
–
soil
Transmission
–
inhalation,
ingestion,
through
skin
1)
ASPERGILLOSIS
Respiratory
–
intestinal,
nasal
cavity,
lung
CS:
non-‐specific
Inflammation
of
sinus
and
esophagus
Pneumonia
Dx:
very
difficult
Tx:
Sx
+
antifungal
2)
CANDIDIASIS
Candida
albicans
Localized,
affecting
MM
and
skin
CS:
non-‐specific
Diarrhea,
weakness,
skin
lesions
Tx:
Topical
ointment
3)
COCCIDIOMYCOSIS
“Valley
Fever”
Coccidioides
immitus
Dry,
desert
like
regions
(Southwest
US)
Uncommon
in
cats
CS:
chronic
respiratory
disease
Skin
–
draining
skin
lesions,
lumps
under
skin,
abscesses
Fever,
decreased
appetite,
weight
loss
+/-‐
lameness,
neuro
signs,
eye
issues
Dx:
ID
fungas
from
tissue
samples
12
Tx:
longterm
antifungal
Prognosis:
guarded
4)
CRYPTOCOCCOSIS
Cryptococcus
neoformans
Respiratory
(nasal
cavity),
CNS,
eyes,
skin
Soil
and
bird
(pigeon!)
droppings
CS:
URT
=
sneezing,
bloody
nasal
dc,
polyp
like
masses
Firm
swelling
over
bridge
of
the
nose
Tx:
months
of
antifungal
+/-‐
Sx
removal
of
lesions
5)
HISTOPLASMOSIS
Histoplasma
capsulatum
Non-‐contagious
infection
River
valley
and
plains
CS:
lungs,
LN
in
the
thorax
Non-‐specific;
reflects
organ
involvement
Tx:
difficult;
prolongued
antibiotics
Supportive
care
–
control
2
infections
-‐
nutrition,
hydration,
etc
6)
BLASTOMYCOSIS
Blastomyces
dermatidis
Mississippi,
Missouri,
Tennessee,
Ohio
river
basins
*
soil
is
moist,
acidic
with
decaying
vegetation
CS:
fever,
lethargy,
poor
appetite
+
weight
loss
Lung:
exercise
intolerance,
cough,
dyspnea
Bone:
lameness
CNS:
behavioural
changes,
seizures,
coma,
sudden
death
Eye:
pain,
light
sensitivity,
glaucoma,
retinal
blindness
Skin:
draining
nodules
Tx:
relief
of
signs
+
eliminate
fungas
Prolongued
antifungal
Prognosis:
relapses
possible
13
ZOONOTIC
7)
SPOROTRICHOSIS
Sporothrix
schenckii
“Rose
gardener’s
disease”
Soil,
vegetation,
timber
coastal
regions,
river
valley
CAN
spread
from
animal
!
human
very
common
CS:
may
be
localized
or
spread
to
LN
Fever,
listlessness,
depression
Bloodborne:
bone,
lungs,
organs,
testes,
GI
or
CNS
Tx:
longterm
antifungal
!
3-‐4
weeks
beyond
“cure”
Strict
hygiene
(CAN
SPREAD
TO
HUMANS)
DERMATOLOGY
Eosinophilic
Skin
Disease
Variety
of
skin
erosions
that
can
appear
anywhere
CS:
oozing
masses,
yellow-‐pink
ulcerations
or
tumour-‐like
masses
**
eosinophils
mistakenly
release
inflammatory
mediators
1)
EOSINOPHILIC
GRANULOMA
raised,
linear
and
clearly
defined
on
hindlegs
&
mouth
yellow-‐pink
2)
EOSINOPHILIC
PLAQUE
red
(angry)
hives
on
thigh
and
abdomen
3)
INDOLENT
ULCERS
pustulent
sore
on
upper
lip
and
is
mirrored
on
sides
Dx:
PE
+
Hx
R/O
external
parasites
Tx:
steroids
Antibiotics,
if
2
infection
Prognosis:
lesions
can
spontaneously
resolve
Ringworm
“Feline
Dermatophytosis”
CS:
Circular
areas
of
hairloss
Broken
and
stubby
hair,
colour
alterations
Scaling
skin,
excessive
grooming,
infected
claws/nailbeds
Dx:
Wood’s
lamp
=
UV
light,
glows
yellow-‐green
50%
!
14
Hair
pull
!
check
for
spores
and
fungus
Tx:
1)
antifungal
topical
medications
2)
full
body
lesions
!
full
body
rinse/dip
***
6
weeks
long
duration
DDx:
flea
allergy
dermatitis
CARDIOLOGY
Hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy
Most
common
cardiac
dz
in
cats
Muscular
walls
of
the
heart
thicken
Breeds:
maine
coon,
ragdoll,
british
shorthair,
sphinx,
R
persians
CS:
asymptomatic
(most)
CHF
–
laboured
+
rapid
breathing
-‐
lethargy
blood
clots
!
saddle
thrombus
Dx:
echocardiogram
Thickened
walls
!
constricted
volume
of
LV
Tx:
manage
CS
Control
HR
Alleviate
lung
congestion
Prevent
clot
formation
Prognosis:
depends
on
signs;
progressive
DDx:
hypertension
hyperthyroidism
PARASITOLOGY
Most
likely
to
occur
in
Toxoplasmosis
immunocompromised
Toxoplasma
gondii,
obligate
intracellular
felids:
à
young
parasite
à
FeLV
or
FIV
15
Cats
are
only
definitive
host
Ingestion
or
contact
with
oocysts
in
feces
or
infected
prey/raw
meat
Replicates
in
cat’s
GI
!
large
#
oocysts
in
feces
!
oocysts
very
resistant,
survives
>1y
environment
!
must
sporulate
to
be
infective
(1-‐5day)
CS:
fever,
lethargy
pneumonia
hypersensitive
Loss
of
appetite
,
difficulty
chewing
&
swallowing
Eyes:
inflammation
retina,
blindness,
anisocoria
CNS:
seizures,
circling,
personality
changes,
head
pressing
Tests
1)
IgG
&
IgM
antibodies
to
Toxoplasma
gondii
#
IgG
–
previously
infected,
not
excreting
#
IgM
–
active
infection
Absence
either
=
naïve
Tx:
recover
spontaneously
Antibiotics
–
clindamycin
Prevention:
avoid
raw
meat
&
unpasteurized
milk
Wash
fruit
and
veggies
Cover
sandboxes
Clean
litter
DAILY
Tapeworms
Dipylidium
canium
Fleas
are
intermediate
hosts
!
req.
complete
life
cycle
CS:
proglottids
in
feces
or
worm
segments
Scooting
on
ground
RARE
weight
loss
Dx:
presence
in
feces
Tx:
flea
control
!!
ie/
Revolution
(selamectin)
Dronzit
(Praziquantel)
Roundworm
ZOONOTIC
Toxocara
cati
“Ascarid”
Most
common
intestinal
parasite
in
cats
“Visceral
larva
migrans”
16
CS:
debilitating
in
young
or
old
cats
Kittens:
potbellied,
abdominal
discomfort
Decreased
appetite;
vomiting,
diarrhea
Poor
growth
Transmission:
transmammary,
fecal
oral
Dx:
fecal
flotation
Tx:
piperazine
(Excel)
Selamectin
(Revolution)
Imidacloprid/moxidectin
(Advantage
multi)
Otodectes
Otodectes
cynotis
Ear
canal;
highly
contagious
via
direct
contact
#2.
ectoparasite
#1.
Fleas
CS:
ear
irritation
–
scrathing
ears,
head
shaking
Dark
waxy/crusty
discharge
from
ear
Self
trauma
–
hair
loss,
excessive
grooming/scratching
Crusted
rash
around
ear
Aural
hematoma
Dx:
Otoscope
–
see
mites
moving
Ear
cytology
Tx:
treat
ears
of
ALL
susceptible
pets
in
household
+
ENVIRONMENT
Ivermectin
Selamectin
(Revolution)
MISC.
Abscesses
Fever,
large
painful
swelling
usually
caused
by:
• bite
wounds
• hematogenous
spread
• trauma
17
Pus-‐forming
Anaerobes
Staphylococcus
Clostridium
E.
coli
Fusobacterium
Pseudomonas
Mycoplasma
Pasteurella
multocida
Corynebacterium
Actinomyces/Nocardia
Bartonella
Tests
1)
Cytology
+
C&S
2)
Testing
FeLV
and
FIV
Tx:
drain
abscess
and
lavage
Antibiotics
–
amoxicillin-‐clavulanic
acid
Cephalosporin
Clindamycin
18