Open AccessClinical Feline Toxoplasmosis
Author(s) -
Lappin Michael R.,
Greene Craig E.,
Winston Susan,
Toll Sharon L.,
Epstein Mark E.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1989.tb03089.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cats , feline immunodeficiency virus , feline leukemia virus , toxoplasmosis , feline infectious peritonitis , serology , retinitis , uveitis , pathology , immunology , virus , antibody , viral disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , human cytomegalovirus , disease , covid-19 , lentivirus
Clinical toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in 15 cats by correlating serologic evidence of infection and clinical signs to either response to therapy or histopathologic demonstration of the organism. Ophthalmic manifestations, primarily involving the anterior segment, were common. Other common physical examination abnormalities included muscle hyperesthesia, fever, and weight loss. Response to therapy was variable, but administration of clindamycin hydrochloride resulted in resolution of all clinical signs not involving the eyes in surviving animals. This drug, alone or in combination with corticosteroids, led to total resolution of clinical signs in four of four cats with active retinochoroiditis and in six of nine cats with anterior uveitis. Four of the 15 cats had concurrent infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Feline leukemia virus antigen or antibodies to feline infectious peritonitis virus were not detected.