Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with lung cancer and Capnocytophaga cynodegmi lung infection
By Forman, Marnin A et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2005·MedVet, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Lower respiratory tract infection due to Capnocytophaga cynodegmi in a cat with pulmonary carcinoma.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was brought to the vet for coughing and feeling very tired. X-rays showed a mass in his lung and signs of infection. After taking samples from his lungs, the vet found a bacteria called Capnocytophaga cynodegmi, which is unusual in cats. The cat was treated with an antibiotic called enrofloxacin, and his symptoms improved. The vet also performed surgery to remove the lung mass, which turned out to be cancer.
People also search for: cat coughing treatment · lung cancer in cats · Capnocytophaga infection in cats · lethargy in cats · cat lung infection antibiotics
Abstract
A 10-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for coughing and lethargy. Thoracic radiographs revealed a soft tissue lung mass and diffuse peribronchial infiltrates. Bronchoscopy was performed and Capnocytophaga cynodegmi was cultured from bilateral bronchoalveolar lavage samples. Clinical signs and bacterial colonization resolved following treatment with enrofloxacin. A lung lobectomy was performed to remove the lung mass, which was diagnosed as pulmonary carcinoma. C cynodegmi is most frequently isolated from localized wound and corneal infections in humans. Specialized growth characteristics of C cynodegmi may result in low sensitivity for bacterial culture. To the authors' knowledge, this case represents the first report of C cynodegmi infection in a veterinary patient and only the second case in human or veterinary medicine where the organism has been isolated from a bronchoalveolar lavage sample. Based on this report, Capnocytophaga species should be considered as potential opportunistic pathogens.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16055008/