Feline Top 20 Diseases - Part 1

Question 1

what is the classic case presentation of a cat with FeLV?

Answer 1

kitten or young adult free-roaming cat, usually male, ADR, +/- thoracic/abdominal masses

Question 2

what diagnostics are run for a possible FeLV+ cat?

Answer 2

CBC - leukopenia, neutropenia, fever, lymphadenopathy, rads, & screening tests - serum/plasma/whole blood ELISA SNAP test or immunochromatography - both in house

Question 3

what is seen on rads of an FeLV+ cat?

Answer 3

thorax or abdominal lymphosarcoma-associated mass

Question 4

how is a diagnosis of FeLV made?

Answer 4

IFA test at a referral lab

Question 5

what treatment is used for FeLV+ cats?

Answer 5

supportive antibiotics, nutritional support, fluids, stress free environment, & keeping FeLV+ & negative cats separate

Question 6

how is FeLV transmitted?

Answer 6

saliva exchange between adults (fighting, grooming, sharing food dishes), transplacental from infected queens (virus is shed in the saliva, nasal secretions, feces, milk, & urine)

Question 7

what cats should be tested for FeLV?

Answer 7

any sick cat regardless of age!!! prior to adoption regardless of age!!! cats with an unknown viral status, & prior to vaccination if negative status

Question 8

what is the vaccination site for FeLV?

Answer 8

left rear leg as distal as possible

Question 9

what is the classic case presentation of FIV?

Answer 9

mature cat, usually an intact male that ives outdoors with prior bite wounds - gingivitis, stomatitis, ADR, fever, anorexia, lethargy, diarrhea, & malaise

Question 10

what is seen on diagnostics of a cat with FIV?

Answer 10

CBC - anemia, leukopenia (especially neutropenia), thrombocytopenia screening test - serum ELISA

Question 11

how is a diagnosis of FIV made?

Answer 11

western blot test at a reference lab

Question 12

how is FIV treated?

Answer 12

supportive care - antibiotics, fluids, nutritional support, & good dental care

Question 13

what is the prognosis of FIV?

Answer 13

good to excellent - most do well for years

Question 14

how is FIV transmitted?

Answer 14

fighting/bite wounds, sexually - virus is shed in saliva

Question 15

what is the classic case presentation of feline hyperthyroidism?

Answer 15

middle aged/older cat with weight loss, increased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, murmur/tachycardia/arrhythmia, ypwling at night, palpable thyroid nodules that are usually bilateral, anxiety/agitation, & an unkempt hair coat

Question 16

how is hyperthyroidism diagnosed in a cat?

Answer 16

screen with a total T4 & can do a free T4 in borderline cases - follow with thyroid scintigraphy, echo, & blood pressure

Question 17

what is the gold standard treatment for feline hyperthyroidism?

Answer 17

iodine 131 - most cases cured with 1 dose

Question 18

what medical therapy is used for feline hyperthyroidism?

Answer 18

methimazole - controls but doesn’t cure with many side effects & requires regular bloodwork, also iodine restricted diet

Question 19

what surgical intervention can be done for feline hyperthyroidism?

Answer 19

thyroidectomy - risk of accidental parathyroid removal & life threatening hypocalcemia

Question 20

what is the most common endocrine disorder in mature cats?

Answer 20

hyperthyroidism

Question 21

T/F: hyperthyroidism doesn’t cause renal failure, but correction of the condition can reveal underlying kidney disease

Answer 21

TRUE

Question 22

what is the classic case presentation of a cat with hepatic lipidosis?

Answer 22

overweight to obese cat with a several day history of anorexia (recent history of a stressful event), weight loss, jaundice, & ptyalism when HE is present

Question 23

what is seen on a chemistry panel from a cat with hepatic lipidosis?

Answer 23

ALP higher than ALT, total bili increased, normal GGT if cholangitis is not a part of the inciting cause of anorexia

Question 24

what diagnostics are run on a cat with hepatic lipidosis?

Answer 24

coag panel to look for coagulopathies, abdominal ultrasound, liver FNA or biospy required for a diagnosis but only done if coag testing is normal or after vitamin k supplementation

Question 25

what treatment is key for hepatic lipidosis cats? what if hepatic encephalopathy is present?

Answer 25

nutritional suppory - esophagostomy tube preferred with a high protein, high quality diet, feed to dietary energy requirements, avoid steroids if HE - lactulose

Question 26

what is the prognosis of hepatic lipidosis?

Answer 26

fair to excellent

Question 27

T/F: hepatic lipidosis is never a primary condition

Answer 27

true

Question 28

how long can recovery from hepatic lipidosis take?

Answer 28

8-16 weeks

Question 29

what is the classic case presentation of a cat with chronic renal disease?

Answer 29

senior/geriatric cat with pu/pd, weight loss, vomiting, lethargy, hyporexia/anorexia, & small lumpy/bumpy kidneys on palpation

Question 30

what is seen on diagnostics of a cat with chronic renal disease?

Answer 30

azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, increased SDMA, hyperkalemia, anemia, dilute/isosthenuric urine, high blood pressure, urine protein: creatinine ratio > 0.4 if proteinuria is a part of the disease process

Question 31

how is a cat with renal disease treated?

Answer 31

supportive care - appetite stimulants, anti-emetics, H2 blockers, fluids, anti-hypertensive meds, & phosphorus binders nutrition - renal prescription diet increased fluids - SQ fluids & added water in diet

Question 32

what is the prognosis for a cat with chronic renal disease?

Answer 32

poor to good depending on the severity, rate of progression, & concurrent illnesses