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Emphysematous gastritis associated with Clostridium perfringens type A in a cat
Author(s) -
Burn Jessica,
Rousset Nicolas,
Henderson Debra W,
Legge Carolyn,
Uzal Francisco A
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
veterinary record case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.165
H-Index - 4
ISSN - 2052-6121
DOI - 10.1136/vetreccr-2017-000540
Subject(s) - medicine , lethargy , clostridium perfringens , enteritis , gastroenterology , gastritis , stomach , necrosis , pathology , gastric distension , gastrointestinal disease , disease , genetics , bacteria , biology
A ten‐year‐old male neutered Maine Coon cat was presented with lethargy, weakness, dehydration and inappetence of 48 hours' duration. Initial ultrasound revealed gastric distension, a normal gastric wall and segmental circumferential thickening of the jejunum wall. The cat initially improved with supportive care, but deteriorated on the second day of hospitalisation. Repeat ultrasound examination and radiography 24 hours after presentation showed marked gastric wall thickening with emphysematous changes. At gastroscopy, severe gastric mucosal discoloration was seen, suggestive of necrosis. Euthanasia was performed post‐gastroscopy due to the deteriorating clinical signs and a suspicion of generalised gastric wall necrosis. Postmortem examination and results of ancillary tests confirmed moderate necrosuppurative and emphysematous gastritis, and focal, mild, necrosuppurative and emphysematous enteritis associated with Clostridium perfringens type A infection. C perfringens infection is rare in small animals; however, it can cause severe and sometimes fatal gastrointestinal disease if the bacteria invade and colonise the gastrointestinal wall.