Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Serum hyperviscosity and multiple myeloma in two cats
By Forrester, S D et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1992·Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Serum hyperviscosity syndrome associated with multiple myeloma in two cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Two cats were diagnosed with serum hyperviscosity syndrome, a rare condition often linked to multiple myeloma, which is a type of cancer. They showed symptoms like pale gums, dehydration, seizures, and eye problems. Tests revealed high protein levels in their blood and kidney issues. Both cats received chemotherapy with melphalan, prednisone, and vincristine, which helped them feel better for a short time, and one cat also underwent a procedure to reduce protein levels in the blood. While this condition is uncommon, it's important for pet owners to be aware of the signs, especially if their cat has certain blood abnormalities.
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Abstract
Serum hyperviscosity syndrome was diagnosed in 2 cats with multiple myeloma. Clinical signs included pale mucous membranes, dehydration, retinal hemorrhages, dilated and tortuous retinal vessels, seizures, head-tilt, nystagmus, systolic murmur, and gallop rhythm. Laboratory abnormalities included hyperglobulinemia, azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, nonregenerative anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Both cats had IgG monoclonal gammopathy, Bence Jones proteinuria, increased numbers of bone marrow plasma cells, and high values for relative serum viscosity. Renal disease was suspected in both cats. Cardiac hypertrophy was documented in 1 cat and was suspected in the other cat. Chemotherapy, using melphalan, prednisone, and vincristine, caused short-term remission in both cats, and plasmapheresis was used to lower serum protein concentration in 1 cat. Serum hyperviscosity syndrome rarely develops in cats, but should be suspected when monoclonal gammopathy exists with signs of neurologic, cardiac, or retinal disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1537697/