Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Epicarditis caused by feline infectious peritonitis virus in a cat
By G.A. Araujo et al.·Published in Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia·2020·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Epicarditis in a cat caused by feline infectious peritonitis virus: case report
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old male cat died after showing signs of severe heart problems caused by Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus (FIPV). During the examination, the vet found a thick layer of fibrin (a protein involved in blood clotting) on the heart's outer layer, indicating inflammation. This case highlights that epicarditis (inflammation of the heart's outer layer) can occur due to FIPV, which is a serious and often fatal disease in cats. Unfortunately, the cat did not survive, but this information can help veterinarians consider epicarditis when diagnosing heart issues in other cats.
People also search for: cat heart problems · FIP in cats · feline infectious peritonitis symptoms · cat epicarditis treatment
Abstract
ABSTRACT Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a progressive and fatal disease in domestic and wild cats, caused by Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus (FIPV). The disease is characterized by an immunomediated reaction against the virus in various organs. This work described a case report of fibrinous epicarditis caused by FIPV. A male cat, three years old, died and was received to be necropsied. Grossly, soft, multifocal to coalescing, whitish fibrinous exudate, measuring up the 2 centimeters of thickness, was observed in the epicardium, mostly at the apex of the heart. Microscopically, severe, multifocal to coalescing inflammatory infiltrate was observed in the epicardium, composed mainly by macrophages, plasmocytes and lymphocytes, associated with fibrin deposition. Immunohistochemistry was performed for FIPV and was positive in the areas of inflammation in the epicardium. To the author´s knowledge, this is the second report of epicarditis due to FIPV in a cat. Therefore, epicarditis should be considered a differential diagnosis of cardiac diseases in Feline Medicine.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4162-11359