Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with brain problems and low vitamin B12 improves after treatment
By Simpson, Katherine et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2012·Davies Veterinary Specialists, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Suspected acquired hypocobalaminaemic encephalopathy in a cat: resolution of encephalopathic signs and MRI lesions subsequent to cobalamin supplementation.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
An 8-year-old female British shorthair cat was brought in with fluctuating neurological symptoms, which suggested a brain issue. Tests showed high ammonia levels and low vitamin B12 (cobalamin), leading the vet to suspect that the low B12 was causing the brain problems. The cat received daily vitamin B12 injections, and after eight weeks, her neurological signs completely improved, and follow-up MRI scans showed no more brain lesions.
People also search for: cat neurological signs · vitamin B12 deficiency in cats · cat MRI brain lesions treatment
Abstract
UNLABELLED: PRESENTING SIGNS AND INITIAL INVESTIGATIONS: An 8-year-old female spayed British shorthair cat was presented with a history of waxing and waning neurological signs. Neuroanatomical localisation was consistent with a diffuse forebrain disease. Blood ammonia concentration was increased. Abdominal ultrasonography and a bile acid stimulation test were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed hyperintense, bilaterally symmetrical, diffuse lesions on T2-weighted sequences, predominantly, but not exclusively, affecting the grey matter. Serum cobalamin (vitamin B12) concentration was low. Hypocobalaminaemia resulting in a urea cycle abnormality was considered a likely cause of the hyperammonaemia. TREATMENT: Daily cobalamin injections resulted in a rapid clinical improvement. Eight weeks into treatment neurological examination was unremarkable and there was complete resolution of the MRI lesions. CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This is the first reported case of acquired feline hypocobalaminaemia resulting in an encephalopathy. Additionally, this case is unique in describing reversible brain MRI abnormalities in a cobalamin-deficient companion animal.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22511477/