Avliotis G. DVM, MSc Student, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | Christoforidis T. DVM, MSc Student, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | Tachmazidou A. DVM, MSc, PhD student, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | Mylonakis M. DVM, PhD, Professor, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | Koutinas C. DVM, PhD, Associate Professor, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Introduction
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is caused by the virulent feline coronavirus (FCoV) variant. This report describes a case of FIP-associated myocarditis and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia that responded favorably to antiviral treatment.
Clinical case
A 1.5-year-old, domestic shorthair cat, was presented with progressively worsening anorexia/depression during last month and anemia. Clinical examination indicated a moderate body condition score (2,5/5), mucosal pallor, tachypnea, hypothermia and strong pulse.
Results
Clinicopathologic findings included severe anemia (7,8%), positive Coombs test, thrombocytopenia (42.000/μl) and increased serum proteins (11.4g/ dl). Furthermore, the cytological examination of the pleural effusion, detected with thoracic radiography, revealed granulomatous inflammation and PCR was positive for FCoV. Albumin-to-globulin ratio in the pleural effusion and blood serum was 0.35. Echocardiography revealed dilation of the left atrium, mild dilation of the right heart and troponin- I was found severely increased (4,77 ng/ml). The cat received blood transfusion and treatment for immune mediated haemolytic anaemia, myocarditis, and FIP (GS-441524) and remains healthy, one year after the initial diagnosis and the tapering of medications.
Conclusions
Feline infectious peritonitis should be a differential in case of myocarditis or immune-mediated anemia in cats.
