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Primary erythrocytosis in the cat: Treatment with hydroxyurea
Author(s) -
Watson A. D. J.,
Moore A. S.,
Helfand S. C.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of small animal practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1748-5827
pISSN - 0022-4510
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1994.tb03295.x
Subject(s) - medicine , lethargy , polyuria , cats , polycythaemia , thrombocytosis , tachypnea , polydipsia , leukocytosis , irritability , pediatrics , surgery , endocrinology , tachycardia , platelet , menopause , diabetes mellitus
Primary erythrocytosis was diagnosed in six adult neutered domestic cats. All the cats showed varying signs of neurological dysfunction, including seizures, blindness, abnormal behaviour, episodes of ataxia, dilated pupils and foaming at the mouth. Other signs included polyuria, polydipsia, lethargy, wobbly gait, head bobbing and twitching. Affected animals had initially high packed cell volumes (PCV) (0.63 to 0.82 litres/litre) without any identifiable cause of relative or secondary erythrocytosis. Serum erythropoietin concentrations were low or normal in four cats, equivocal in one and undetermined in one. Primary erythrocytosis was diagnosed, rather than polycythaemia vera, as abnormalities often associated with the latter were uncommon (granulocytosis, splenomegaly) or unrecorded (thrombocytosis, hepatomegaly). The six cats were treated with hydroxyurea and five had phlebotomies. All remain well at least 10 months after treatment began, and two have survived more than six years, despite potential complications with hydroxyurea, including neutropenia, anaemia and methaemoglobinaemia.