Severe acute intra-abdominal clostridial disease in two cats

This case series describes two cats that developed intra-abdominal infections attributable to clostridial species. Case 1 describes a 3-year-old Oriental Shorthair that presented after acutely vomiting and rapidly declined, culminating in septic shock and death within hours of presentation. Imaging and post mortem revealed severe necrotising inflammation involving the right kidney and septic peritonitis. Histopathology revealed Gram-positive bacilli, consistent with a clostridial infection. Case 2, a 6-year-old Siamese, presented with acute lethargy, anorexia and abdominal pain. An enlarged, cavitated ileocaecal lymph node was identified on ultrasound. Cytology demonstrated abundant bacilli, and anaerobic culture and histopathology confirmed Clostridium septicum. The cat showed rapid clinical recovery after surgical excision of the affected lymph node and surrounding tissue.

These cases highlight the potential for Clostridium species to cause fulminant intra-abdominal disease in previously healthy cats. Case 1 represents an unusual presentation of a septic abdomen due to Clostridium species and subsequent acute decline, while case 2 represents the first reported instance of spontaneous mesenteric lymphadenitis with abscessation due to C septicum in a previously healthy cat. Both cases demonstrate the severity of this bacterium in causing disease and the importance of early recognition. The findings highlight the aggressive nature of clostridial disease and the limitations of aerobic culture alone in diagnosis. This report expands the known host range and clinical manifestations of Clostridium species, supporting its inclusion in the differential diagnosis of necrotising intra-abdominal disease in cats, even in the absence of predisposing factors.