Serum biochemical changes in cats with naturally acquired feline cytauxzoonosis.

OBJECTIVE: The geographical distribution of feline cytauxzoonosis is expanding in the US. Clinical signs of feline cytauxzoonosis, including lethargy, anorexia, and icterus, are similar to hepatic lipidosis and cholangiohepatitis. Hematologic and serum biochemical abnormality patterns may assist practitioners in prioritizing feline cytauxzoonosis as a differential diagnosis over hepatic lipidosis and cholangiohepatitis. SAMPLE: Hematology and serum biochemical profiles of cats with naturally acquired feline cytauxzoonosis, hepatic lipidosis, or cholangiohepatitis. PROCEDURES: Retrospective search and analysis of the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory or Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center records between January 2007 and June 2018 for cats with cytauxzoonosis, hepatic lipidosis, or cholangiohepatitis. RESULTS: Patients with acute feline cytauxzoonosis presented with frequent nonregenerative anemia (20/28 [71%]), leukopenia (23/28 [82%]), thrombocytopenia (23/23 [100%]), hyperbilirubinemia (27/28 [97%]), hypoalbuminemia (26/28 [93%]), reduced (18/28 [64%]) or low normal (10/28 [36%]) serum ALP activity, and hyponatremia (23/28 [82%]). Reduced ALP activity was unique to cats with feline cytauxzoonosis relative to hepatic lipidosis and cholangiohepatitis. No correlation between the severity of anemia and the magnitude of hyperbilirubinemia was identified in feline cytauxzoonosis patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The combination of nonregenerative anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hyperbilirubinemia, and reduced serum ALP activity in icteric cats may increase the clinical suspicion, but is not pathognomonic, for acute feline cytauxzoonosis. Hematologic and serum biochemical abnormalities of naturally acquired feline cytauxzoonosis are like those reported with feline bacterial sepsis. Blood smear evaluation for intraerythrocytic Cytauxzoon felis piroplasms, tissue aspirates for schizont-laden macrophages, and/or molecular testing are required to diagnose feline cytauxzoonosis.

Multiple myeloma presenting as blepharitis in a horse.

Myeloma-related disorders, including multiple myeloma, extramedullary plasmacytoma, and solid osseous plasmacytoma, are rare in horses. Clinical complaints for myeloma-related disorders are nonspecific, and when present, M-protein location is more variable on protein electrophoresis in horses relative to dogs and cats. Here, we describe a case of a 15-year-old Thoroughbred mare who presented with recurrent blepharitis. Marked hyperglobulinemia was an incidental finding on routine hematologic and biochemical testing. Bone marrow aspiration consisted of >30% plasma cells, and serum protein electrophoresis demonstrated a monoclonal gammopathy in the alpha 2 fraction leading to a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Immunofixation and radial immunodiffusion confirmed the presence of an IgG M-protein. Based on a restricted peak in the alpha 2 location, the specific M-protein is suspected to be IgG(T), an IgG isotype unique to horses. M-protein migration in horses is variable relative to dogs and cats, yet immunofixation can still be used to identify equine IgG M-protein isotypes. The unique clinical presentation in this case also serves as a reminder to consider neoplasia in horses with unusual or nonspecific clinical signs.

Intravenous iron sucrose is safe but does not prevent development of anemia or iron deficiency in healthy cats undergoing serial venipuncture.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate IV iron sucrose safety and impact on hematologic and iron indices in healthy cats. ANIMALS: 5 healthy research cats. PROCEDURES: Cats were administered iron sucrose (0.5 mg/kg, IV) over 30 minutes. Monitoring for acute reactions (temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure) was performed every 5 minutes during injection and every 15 minutes for an additional hour. Baseline, 24-hour, and 1-, 2-, and 3-week postinjection measurements of CBC with reticulocyte indices, iron panel (ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, and iron), calculated transferrin saturation (TSAT), and serum amyloid A (SAA) concentration were performed. RESULTS: No cat experienced an acute drug reaction. SAA concentration was increased at 24 hours versus baseline. TSAT and ferritin decreased over time, with 3 cats developing concurrent functional iron deficiency (FID) and anemia. Hct (Spearman correlation [rs] = 0.805), hemoglobin (rs = 0.770), and reticulocyte hemoglobin content (rs = 0.581) correlated with TSAT. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: IV iron sucrose was well tolerated in healthy cats but was associated with transient increase in the systemic inflammatory marker SAA. Efficacy evaluation of dose based on iron deficit is needed in sick cats. Despite cumulative blood draw volume below recommended limits, anemia and FID were observed, which has important implications for experimental designs and serial hematologic monitoring. Further evaluation of inflammatory response to IV iron sucrose administration is warranted.

Feline sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma with peritoneal carcinomatosis and effusion.

A 9-y-old, castrated male, domestic medium-hair cat diagnosed previously with chronic kidney disease developed anorexia and vomiting. Ultrasonography revealed abdominal effusion and a left renal perihilar mass. Cytologic evaluation of the peritoneal fluid and mass identified atypical epithelioid cells suspected to be of renal epithelial or possible mesothelial origin. Immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation of a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded peritoneal fluid cell block indicated both pancytokeratin and vimentin expression in the atypical epithelioid cell population. With scanning electron microscopic evaluation, similar epithelioid cells lacked the cell-surface microvilli expected of mesothelium, supporting an antemortem diagnosis of probable carcinoma. On postmortem examination, the left kidney was effaced by an infiltrative neoplasm with myriad similar nodules throughout the peritoneum. The neoplasm was composed primarily of polygonal-to-spindle-shaped cells with strong vimentin and weak pancytokeratin cytoplasmic immunolabeling. Further IHC characterization with PAX8, CK18, KIT, napsin A, SMA, desmin, CD18, and claudin 5 was performed. Histologic and IHC findings supported a diagnosis of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma with peritoneal carcinomatosis. An in vitro cell culture line of neoplastic cells harvested from the primary tumor was successfully established for future research endeavors.