Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with brain cysts from Taenia crassiceps infection causing
By Wünschmann, Arno et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·2003·Department of Veterinary Diagnostic Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cerebral cysticercosis by Taenia crassiceps in a domestic cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A domestic shorthair cat was brought in after showing signs of vomiting, lethargy, and difficulty walking. Unfortunately, her condition worsened over six weeks, leading to severe neurological issues, including coma, and she was ultimately euthanized. A post-mortem examination revealed numerous cysts in her brain caused by a parasite called Taenia crassiceps, which is rare in cats. This case highlights a serious and uncommon condition that can affect cats, emphasizing the importance of prompt veterinary care for unusual symptoms.
People also search for: cat vomiting lethargy · cat neurological problems · Taenia crassiceps in cats · cat coma causes
Abstract
Cerebral cysticercosis by Taenia crassiceps was diagnosed in an adult female domestic shorthair cat. The animal was euthanized 6 weeks after the initial presentation with signs of vomiting, lethargy, and ataxia. The disease took an intermittent relapsing course with the neurological signs progressing eventually to recumbancy and coma. At necropsy, numerous cysticerci were found in the dilated left lateral ventricle and the adjacent brain parenchyma. The cysticerci were identified as metacestodes of T. crassiceps larvae based on size and morphology of the cysts; shape, number, and size of the rostellar hooks; and mode of proliferation, including endogenous and exogenous budding. Cerebral cysticercosis by T. crassiceps is rare in atypical intermediate hosts and has not been described in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14535554/