Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Mesenteric lymph node abscesses due to Escherichia coli in a cat.
- Journal:
- Veterinary medicine and science
- Year:
- 2022
- Authors:
- Sakai, Kosei et al.
- Affiliation:
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences · Japan
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old male mixed-breed cat had been dealing with chronic loose stools for almost two years. After some imaging tests, vets found two swollen lymph nodes in the cat's abdomen filled with fluid. They drained the fluid, which contained pus, and identified Escherichia coli, a type of bacteria, as the cause of the abscesses (pockets of infection). Although the abscesses were difficult to remove surgically, the cat was treated with drainage and antibiotics, which helped reduce the size of the lymph nodes. However, the loose stools continued until the cat was switched to a special diet, which improved its symptoms, suggesting that the cat might have a food-related digestive issue.
Abstract
A 3-year-old, castrated male mixed-breed cat presented with an almost 2-year history of chronic loose stools. On radiography and ultrasound examination, there were two masses in the centre of the abdomen. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed that the masses were enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes with fluid accumulation. Percutaneous lesion drainage yielded pus-like fluid. Fluid cytology revealed numerous neutrophils and Gram-negative rods. Pus culture identified Escherichia coli as the causative organism. Consequently, mesenteric lymph node abscesses were definitively diagnosed. Since computed tomography showed that the abscesses adhered to the surrounding tissues, it was difficult to remove them surgically. With drainage and antimicrobial therapy, the mesenteric lymph nodes gradually decreased in size. However, loose stools persisted. The cat's diet was changed to a hydrolysed diet, and the clinical symptoms improved, suggesting food-responsive enteropathy. This may be an underlying disease of lymph node abscesses. Lymph node abscesses limited to the mesenteric lymph nodes rarely occur in veterinary medicine, and this is the first report in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35654083/