Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Chronic cough and lung infection from Mycobacterium avium in two cats
By Gareis, Hannah et al.·Published in Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K, Kleintiere/Heimtiere·2024·Kleintierklinik·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: [Pulmonary Mycobacterium avium infection in 2 domestic cats].
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Two domestic cats, an Abyssinian and a Carthusian, were brought in with chronic breathing problems, including coughing and difficulty breathing. One cat also had intermittent fever. X-rays showed serious lung changes, and tests revealed inflammation in the airways, but initial tests for bacteria were negative. A culture eventually confirmed a mycobacterial infection in both cats. While one cat responded to a long course of antibiotics and showed improvement, the other developed a severe infection in the abdomen and had to be euthanized.
People also search for: cat coughing treatment · chronic respiratory problems in cats · Abyssinian cat lung infection · mycobacterial infection in cats
Abstract
Two domestic cats (Abyssinian and Carthusian) presented with chronic respiratory signs including cough, respiratory sounds, and polypnea. One of the cats also showed intermittent fever. Thoracic radiographs demonstrated severe changes with predominantly micronodular interstitial lung patterns, some with mineralized areas. Bronchoalveolar lavage detected high-grade pyogranulomatous airway inflammation. A cytological examination for acid-fast bacteria and a PCR for Mycobacteria species of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were negative in both cats. A culture for Mycobacteria of the BALF detectedsubspecies in both cats. While the clinical signs, but not the radiographic findings, could be controlled in one cat with prolonged double antibiotic therapy, the other cat developed septic peritonitis shortly after diagnosis and was euthanized. In unexplained chronic respiratory disease in cats, mycobacterial infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis. The breed of the first patient is consistent with the known predisposition for Abyssinians.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39637920/