Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ultrasound findings at ileocecocolic junction in cats
By Brzozowska, Magdalena et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2025·Evidensia Small Animal Referral Hospital·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Ultrasonographic appearance of the ileocecocolic junction in cats with salmonellosis.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 100 cats with gastrointestinal symptoms was tested for a bacterial infection called salmonellosis, and 70 of them tested positive. An abdominal ultrasound showed that these cats had thickened intestinal walls and enlarged lymph nodes, which are signs of the infection. Some also had fluid in their abdomen. Recognizing these ultrasound findings can help veterinarians diagnose salmonellosis early, leading to better treatment outcomes for affected cats. Treatment typically involves antibiotics and supportive care, which can help the cats recover.
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Abstract
Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella spp. When it affects the gastrointestinal tract of cats, it has a predilection for the ileocecocolic junction. Abdominal ultrasound is a valuable tool in diagnosing gastrointestinal diseases. This retrospective, single-center case series study aimed to describe the ultrasonographic abnormalities of the ileocecocolic junction in feline patients with confirmed Salmonella infection. One hundred cats presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms were tested for Salmonella between 2019 and 2022; 70 tested positive, and 30 tested negative. All of them underwent ultrasonographic examination. The positive group showed a significantly thickened wall of the ileum ( < 0.001, range: 1.9-5.7 mm, mean = 3.25 mm, SD = 0.66), caecum ( < 0.001, range: 2.1-3.9 mm, mean = 2.87 mm, SD = 0.49), and ascending colon ( < 0.05, range: 1-3.1 mm, mean = 1.47 mm, SD = 0.55) in comparison to the negative group. In the positive group, the ileocecal lymph nodes were significantly larger in diameter ( < 0.001, range: 2.7-7.8 mm, mean = 4.9 mm, SD = 1.15). All Salmonella-positive cats had focal hyperechoic mesenteric fat, and 23% (16/70) had focal peritoneal effusion at the ileocecocolic junction. The combination of the thickening of the intestinal wall at the ileocecocolic junction, focal hyperechoic mesenteric fat, peritoneal effusion and regional lymphadenopathy may indicate Salmonellosis in cats with compatible clinical signs. Including this diagnosis may prompt further testing, leading to early recognition and effective treatment, resulting in better patient outcomes. Diagnosing this disease is also important as Salmonellosis carries a zoonotic risk, with the potential transmission between pets and humans.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40386038/