Acute infection in a pediatric domestic cat
Case summary A domestic shorthair cat estimated to be 4–6 weeks old was presented to a referral center for evaluation of lethargy, anorexia and diarrhea for a duration of 24 h. A feline vector-borne PCR panel, as well as a blood smear, examined by a board-certified pathologist, confirmed an Anaplasm...
Main Authors: | , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2023-12-01
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Series: | Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/20551169231213505 |
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author | Molly Graham Patty Ewing Megan Whelan |
author_facet | Molly Graham Patty Ewing Megan Whelan |
author_sort | Molly Graham |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Case summary A domestic shorthair cat estimated to be 4–6 weeks old was presented to a referral center for evaluation of lethargy, anorexia and diarrhea for a duration of 24 h. A feline vector-borne PCR panel, as well as a blood smear, examined by a board-certified pathologist, confirmed an Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection. Morulae were identified in both feline neutrophils and eosinophils. Treatment consisted of a 21-day course of liquid doxycycline. Clinical signs rapidly resolved and were not noted to recur. Relevance and novel information This case demonstrates that A phagocytophilum can infect cats as young as 4–6 weeks old. Doxycycline, as the antibiotic of choice for the treatment of A phagocytophilum infections, was used. Consistent with the literature, a rapid clinical improvement was detected. Anaplasmosis should be listed as a differential diagnosis in pediatric cats suffering from acute febrile illness with potential previous tick exposure (history of living outdoors) in order to provide proper treatment. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:15:02Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-6b1a55714dbc4308ba3d9978db1707e0 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2055-1169 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:15:02Z |
publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
publisher | SAGE Publishing |
record_format | Article |
series | Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports |
spelling | doaj.art-6b1a55714dbc4308ba3d9978db1707e02023-12-22T19:03:59ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports2055-11692023-12-01910.1177/20551169231213505Acute infection in a pediatric domestic catMolly GrahamPatty EwingMegan WhelanCase summary A domestic shorthair cat estimated to be 4–6 weeks old was presented to a referral center for evaluation of lethargy, anorexia and diarrhea for a duration of 24 h. A feline vector-borne PCR panel, as well as a blood smear, examined by a board-certified pathologist, confirmed an Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection. Morulae were identified in both feline neutrophils and eosinophils. Treatment consisted of a 21-day course of liquid doxycycline. Clinical signs rapidly resolved and were not noted to recur. Relevance and novel information This case demonstrates that A phagocytophilum can infect cats as young as 4–6 weeks old. Doxycycline, as the antibiotic of choice for the treatment of A phagocytophilum infections, was used. Consistent with the literature, a rapid clinical improvement was detected. Anaplasmosis should be listed as a differential diagnosis in pediatric cats suffering from acute febrile illness with potential previous tick exposure (history of living outdoors) in order to provide proper treatment.https://doi.org/10.1177/20551169231213505 |
spellingShingle | Molly Graham Patty Ewing Megan Whelan Acute infection in a pediatric domestic cat Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports |
title | Acute infection in a pediatric domestic cat |
title_full | Acute infection in a pediatric domestic cat |
title_fullStr | Acute infection in a pediatric domestic cat |
title_full_unstemmed | Acute infection in a pediatric domestic cat |
title_short | Acute infection in a pediatric domestic cat |
title_sort | acute infection in a pediatric domestic cat |
url | https://doi.org/10.1177/20551169231213505 |
work_keys_str_mv | AT mollygraham acuteinfectioninapediatricdomesticcat AT pattyewing acuteinfectioninapediatricdomesticcat AT meganwhelan acuteinfectioninapediatricdomesticcat |