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Polycythemia vera in a cat with cardiac hypertrophy
1County Animal Clinic, Yonkers, NY 10710.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|June 15, 1988
Summary
Polycythemia vera, a rare feline disease, was diagnosed in a cat presenting with seizures. Treatment involved phlebotomy, resulting in a sustained disease-free state for over 20 months.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Hematology
- Feline Diseases
Background:
- Polycythemia vera is a rare myeloproliferative neoplasm.
- It is poorly documented in feline species.
- Diagnosis often involves excluding secondary causes of polycythemia.
Observation:
- A 4-year-old domestic shorthair cat presented with seizures.
- High packed cell volume (PCV) was noted.
- Cardiac hypertrophy was also diagnosed, potentially linked to blood hyperviscosity.
Findings:
- Polycythemia vera was diagnosed based on elevated PCV and normal serum erythropoietin levels.
- Secondary polycythemia was ruled out.
- The cat responded well to treatment.
Implications:
- This case highlights the possibility of polycythemia vera in cats presenting with neurological signs.
- Periodic phlebotomy proved an effective treatment strategy.
- Further research into feline polycythemia vera is warranted.