Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with spinal cancer and skin tumors linked to feline
By Barr, M C et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1993·Cornell University, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Spinal lymphosarcoma and disseminated mastocytoma associated with feline immunodeficiency virus infection in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was brought in with symptoms like diarrhea, weight loss, and a fever. After surgery to remove the spleen, the cat felt better for about 15 months, but then its health worsened with new issues like swollen gums, excessive thirst and urination, and weakness in its back legs. Unfortunately, the cat was diagnosed with spinal lymphosarcoma (a type of cancer) and other serious conditions before it was euthanized. The FIV likely weakened the cat's immune system, contributing to the development of these diseases.
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Abstract
The course of naturally acquired infection with feline immunodeficiency virus was monitored in a cat over an 18-month period after diagnosis. The cat was admitted with diarrhea, poor body condition, a bite wound abscess, gingivitis, chronic fever, and splenomegaly. The cat's condition improved after splenectomy and remained stable for approximately 15 months, then began to deteriorate, as gingivitis, polyuria, polydipsia, pyrexia, multiple cutaneous masses, and hind limb paresis developed. The in vitro response of the cat's lymphocytes to mitogens was suppressed, and absolute lymphocyte counts were low. Spinal lymphosarcoma, disseminated mastocytoma, and presumptive diabetes mellitus were diagnosed after euthanasia. Decreased immune surveillance associated with feline immunodeficiency virus-related immunosuppression possibly played a role in the development of neoplastic disease in this cat.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8395490/