Feline Pathogens Flashcards
Acetaminophin toxicity
cats are unable to process acetaminophen because of deficiencies int he liver’s ability to glucuronidate the drug into a form that can be excreted by the body. When the liver’s enzyme pathways for glucuronidation is saturated, the drug is broken down into a toxic metabolite called NAPQI that damages hemoglobin and red blood cells and liver cells. This can lead to fatal methemoglobinemia followed by acute liver damage (Heinz bodies and glossy brown color of the blood). Although liver failure and life-threatening methemoglobinemia are the two primary processes that occur, some cats may develop renal failure from nephrotoxicity. Renal failure occurs more infrequently, however.
Acute cholangiohepatitis
usually seen in younger cats (3-3.5 years) and is more common in males than in females. Likely to be depressed, dehydrated, and febrile. Neutrophilia with or without left shift. Mild increase in bilirubin and ALP common, with more severe elevations of ALT. Treatment includes antibiotics with aerobic and anaerobic coverage that are excreted unchanged in the bile (tetracyclines, ampicillin, amoxicillin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, and metronidazole). Ursodeoxycholic acid is useful in all types of inflammatory liver disease because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties on the liver. It also increases fluidity of biliary secretions. 50% survival.
Acute Glaucoma
Very painful condition characterized by epiphora, episcleral injection, corneal edema, and sometimes mydriasis.
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus
feline lungworm, treat with ivermectin and fenbendazole
Amylase
Hydrolyzes starches: Enzyme produced by the pancreas and also found in saliva that is responsible for digestion of starch or carbohydrates.
Amyloidosis familial disorder
Abyssinian (kidney), Siamese and Oriental (liver) shorthair. Amyloid deposition occurs most frequently in the kidney and liver. Clinical signs in Abyssinian are typically those of chronic renal failure. Hypertension may be secondary to glomerulotubular disease. Biopsy and stain with congo red definitive but often not necessary due to high risk of hemorrhage. Manage symptoms and do not breed from these cats.
Anterior uveitis
Rubiosis iridis, aqueous flare, hyphema, hypopyon, keratic precipitates, and decreased intraocular pressure are all suggestive of anterior uveitis which an be caused by a number of infectious, immune-mediated, traumatic, and idiopathic causes.
Arginine deficiency
Arginine is an essential amino acid in cats used to make ornithine, which binds to ammonia that is formed from the catabolism of protein. Deficiency results in build up of ammonia and signs similar to hepatic encephalopathy
Black widow spider bite
Clinical presentation: found in basement recumbent and vocalizing, very rigid with muscle spasms
Toxin binds calcium channels, increasing membrane permeability and enhancing depolarization. Ascending motor paralysis and destruction of peripheral nerve endings occur. A single bit may be serious to adult humans and could kill a small animal. Clinical signs occur almost immediately with pain, due in part to the release of acetylcholine, which stimulates contraction of major muscle groups. There may be ascending motor paralysis, muscle spasms, muscle rigidity, and salivation. Death from respiratory or cardiovascular failure is possible.
Calicivirus
acute presentation of marked upper respiratory signs as well as oral ulcerations +/- conjunctival chemosis, and edematous lesions of the skin on the head and limbs. outbreaks of highly virulent and often lethal strains have been seen.
Capillaria aerophila
lungworm, parasite of the frontal sinus, trachea, bronchi, and rarely nasal cavity.
Cate bite abscess
Anaerobes most frequently isolated bacteria in cat bit abscesses. These include obligate anaerobes such as Fusobacterium spp., Bacteroides spp., and Clostridium spp. as well as facultative anaerobes such as Pasteurella spp. and Actinmyces spp. Treatment by establishing drainage, vet still choose to treat with antibiotics (Clindamycin or amoxicillin with clavulanate)
Chlamydophila felis
Severe chemosis characteristic of infections. Upper respiratory tract pathogen.
Cholangiohepatitis
Inflammation of the biliary system and liver parenchyma. Can be autoimmune in nature, or may be triggered by underlying infection or neoplasia. Concurrent disease often includes pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Treatment: for non-suppurative cholangiohepatitis is prednisolone since it is most often immune in origin. Ursodiol is often used for its immunomodulatory, hepatoprotectant, and antifibrotic effects.It helps with the flow of bile through the liver. Other helpful therapies include S-adenosylmethionene (SAMe) and Vitamin E.
Chronic cholangiohepatitis
occurs in older cats (mean age 9 years)
Chronic kidney failure management
Restrict dietary protein (decreases formation of nitrogenous wastes and help to palliate hyperphosphatemia), phosphate binders (prevent absorption of phosphorus from the intestines), H2 blockers (decrease gastric acid secretion to help prevent vomiting and formation of gastric ulcers), Calcium channel blockers like amlodipine (palliate hypertension)
Cobalamin deficiency
causes inappetence, lethargy, and failure to thrive
Common congenital defect of white cats with blue eyes
deaf
Corneal dermoid
congenital
Cryptococcus neoformans
yeast-like fungus which has narrow based budding. Clinical signs: respiratory, central nervous system, eyes and skin are usually areas you will see affected. Most have nasal involvement characterized by facial swelling, distortion ‘roman nose’, chronic snuffling and discharge, and granulomatous masses seen coming out of the nostril.
Treat with Itraconazole
Diagnosis: serology is very useful, latex agglutination on serum, CFS, or urine. Visible yeasts surrounded by a large capsuleoccasionallyy seen.
Cryptosporidium
A coccidian that invades the small intestinal villi after ingestion of infected oocysts. It can be diagnosed with PRC. It is treated with clindamycin, azithromycin, or tylosin most commonly. It is usually an opportunist, so evaluation for underlying disease is appropriate.
Cuterebra
Fly that lays its eggs on soil or plants. The eggs stick to the animal’s fur when they come into contact. The eggs hatch and the larvae either penetrate the skin, are ingested when the animal grooms; or they enter the animal’s body through a natural opening, such as the nose. In most cases, the larvae migrate to areas just under the skin on the head, neck, or trunk of the animal. In dogs, cats, and ferrets, who are not the usually hosts of this parasite, the larvae may also migrate to the brain, eye, eyelids, or throat. As the larva grows under the skin, it produces a nodule or swelling.A small opening develops in the skin, through which is breathes. A small amount of drainage may occur around this breathing hole. The treatment is to incise the skin if needed to remove the larva. You have to make sure to remove the larva in whole and not crush it. If it is damaged or crushed, it can cause an anaphylactic reaction.
cytauxzoon felis
Protozoal organism and transmission to cats through tick bites. Cats usually show clinical signs 1-3 weeks after infection. Signs can be nonspecific and include anorexia, lethargy, dyspnea, and icterus. Cats will also commonly have a marked pyrexia. The organism invades the reticuloendothelial cells of the lungs, spleen, liver, lymph nodes, and other organs so cranial organomegaly can often be present. The bone marrow can be affected causing pancytopenias. Thrombocytopenia is likely related tot eh development of DIC. There is no effective therapy and prognosis is poor to grave.
Demodex cati
long slender mite which lives in the hair follicles
Diagnose on deep skin scrape
Treat with lime sulfur dip
Demodex gatoi
short and stubby mite which lives superficially. It is considered contagious to other cats and causes pruritus
Diagnose on superficial skin scrape
Treat with weekly lime sulfur dip
Dermatophytosis
characteristically causes pruritis, crusting, and often affect the head, neck, and ears.
Diagnosis of Feline Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Measure serum fTLI concentration
Dirofilaria immitis
Heartworm; adulticide dangerous - manage with preds and heartguard
Elastase
Peptidase that breaks down proteins and peptides.
Eosinophilic granuloma
or linear granulomas are usually linear in shape and pin-yellow in color. Typically, they don’t crust and not usually pruritic.
Estrus
typically lasts about 7 days (usually between 4-10 days)
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Occurs when 90% of pancreatic exocrine function is destroyed. fTLI concentration is measured from a fasted blood sample and a trypsinogen level less than 8ug/L is diagnostic. Typically cats with EPI also have a concurrent chronic pancreatitis as well as low levels of cobalamin. The exocrine pancreas is responsible for secreting intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor binds cobalamin to allow for gut absorption. Amylase and lipase concentrations do not provide reliable information regarding pancreatic function in cats.
Feline Calicivirus
common virus in cats that causes upper respiratory infection. Feline calicivirus is resistant to many disinfectants and can survive outside a cat’s body for several days
Feline calicivirus is spread between cats through direct contact with the eyes or nose of an infected cat or contact with contaminated objects that an infected cat has sneezed on or touched, such as food and water bowls.
Feline Central Retinal Degeneration (FCRD)
can develop from taurine deficiency. This is because photoreceptors contain large amounts of taurine and cats cannot synthesize it. The classic lesion is an elliptical area of tapetal hyperreflectivity starting int he area centralis dorsolateral to the optic disk that progresses to a horizontal band and eventually can involve the entire fundus.
Feline Herpes Virus
80-100% of cats become carriers post infection
coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, and sometimes fever (up to 106) and loss of appetite
transmitted through direct contact only. It replicates in the nasal and nasopharyngeal tissues and the tonsils. Viremia (the presence of the virus in the blood) is rare. The virus is shed in saliva and eye and nasal secretions, and can also be spread by fomites. FVR has a two- to five-day incubation period. The virus is shed for one to three weeks postinfection. Latently infected cats (carriers) will shed FHV-1 intermittently for life, with the virus persisting within the trigeminal ganglion. Stress and use of corticosteroids precipitate shedding. Most disinfectants, antiseptics and detergents are effective against the virus
Feline herpes virus ocular manifestations
conjunctivitis, corneal sequestrum, eosinophilic keratitis, corneal ulcer
Feline Idiopathic Cystitis
most common cause of lower urinary tract signs in young healthy cats
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
Lentivirus
Affects cytotoxic t-cells (CD8+), helper t-cells (CD4+), macrophages, b cell. After inoculation, replication occurs in lymphoid and salivary tissues. Eventually, the virus spreads to mononuclear cells, while viremia is suppressed the the host immune response (asymptomatic carrier phase) that can last several years. A slow decline in the number of CD4+ cells is seen, resulting in failure of the immune system. Cats are often about 10-15 years old by the time this occurs.
Isospora
parasitic coccidia that can cause diarrhea. Treatment is usually with sulfonamides such as sulfadimethoxine or trimethoprim-sulfa
Polydactyly
Occurs when there is an extra digit. Cat almost appears to have an “opposable thumb”. In cats, this condition is called mitten paw. It is an autosomal dominant trait with incomplete penetrance.
