Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with behavior changes and seizures diagnosed with spongiform
By Demierre, S et al.·Published in Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde·2002·Abteilung fü·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: [Feline spongiform encephalopathy: first clinical case in Switzerland].
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-old female Birman cat was brought to the vet because her behavior was changing and she was having trouble with balance, along with experiencing seizures. Despite various tests, including blood work and a spinal fluid exam, nothing unusual was found at first. However, an EEG showed abnormal brain activity, leading to a diagnosis of feline spongiform encephalopathy, a rare brain disease. This case marks the first confirmed instance of this condition in Switzerland.
People also search for: cat behavior changes · Birman cat seizures · feline spongiform encephalopathy symptoms
Abstract
A six-year-old female Birman cat was referred to our clinic because of chronic progressive changes in behavior. Additionally, generalized vestibular ataxia and psychomotor seizures were noticed. A multifocal lesion in the forebrain as well as brainstem was suspected. Ancillary investigations such as complete blood cell count, serum biochemistry profile, urinalysis and cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed no significant abnormalities. Electroencephalography showed diffuse changes in the cortical activity. Feline spongiform encephalopathy was confirmed by histological brain examination and positive immunohistochemistry for PrPSc. This is the first time that a case of feline spongiform encephalopathy is diagnosed in Switzerland.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12442705/