Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with jaundice and anorexia caused by Platynosomum fastosum
By Carreira, Vinicius S et al.·Published in Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria = Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology : Orgao Oficial do Colegio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria·2008·Hospital Veteriná, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Feline cholangitis/ chonlangiohepatitis complex secondary to Platynosomum fastosum infection in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old female cat was brought to the vet because she was not eating (anorexia) and had yellowing of her skin and eyes (jaundice). Despite various tests, including ultrasound and liver biopsy, the cause of her symptoms remained unclear. Unfortunately, the cat's condition was only confirmed as a severe infection from a liver fluke parasite (Platynosomum fastosum) after she passed away and a necropsy was performed. This case highlights the need for veterinarians to consider this often-overlooked parasite when diagnosing liver issues in cats.
People also search for: cat jaundice causes · why is my cat not eating · liver disease in cats · Platynosomum fastosum treatment · feline cholangitis symptoms
Abstract
Platynosomiasis has been associated with cholangitis/cholangiohepatitis complex in domestic cats. Despite being typically asymptomatic, some individuals may develop severe disease resulting in hepatic cirrhosis. Definitive diagnosis by means of parasite eggs direct visualization is not always possible and complementary tests should be associated. This paper reports a case of a three-year-old female cat with anorexia and jaundice. Ultrasound and biochemistry laboratory findings as well as liver biopsy were not conclusive. Definitive diagnosis of intense Platynosomum fastosum infestation was only possible through direct examination of biliary fluid at necropsy, stressing the importance of including platynosomiasis, commonly an underdiagnosed disease, among differential diagnoses of feline liver diseases.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20059845/