References
Polycythaemia vera in cats: a patient care report
Abstract
This report outlines a case of primary polycythaemia diagnosed in a 2.5-year-old female entire Domestic Short Hair cat following referral for a report of abnormal neurological behavioural signs. Initial work-up included inhouse blood tests, thoracic radiographs, echocardiogram and abdominal ultrasound. The only remarkable result was a packed cell volume (PCV) of 80% and total solids (TS) 8 g/dl. Therapeutic phlebotomy was performed which reduced the PCV to 62%, and TS to 5.8 g/dl. A definite diagnosis of polycythaemia vera was concluded, and long-term management included repeated phlebotomies and hydroxyurea chemotherapy.
The patient (Sansa) was referred for abnormal neurological behavioural signs and was diagnosed with primary polycythaemia. Polycythaemia is an increase in erythrocyte concentration — normally displayed as an increase in the packed cell volume (PCV) and/or haematocrit (HCT), haemoglobin concentration or red blood cell count (RBC) (Stokol, 2017) — and polycythaemia vera is an erythrocyte myeloproliferative disorder (Beale, 2017).
Species: Feline
Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Age: 2 years 6 months
Gender: Female (entire)
Weight: 3.42 kg (Figure 1).
The patient presented as an emergency for further investigation after abnormal neurological behavioural signs with one suspected seizure episode. Behaviours reported included: seeking dark places, swaying and sitting close to walls. Eating and drinking were normal with no episodes of vomiting or diarrhoea. On presentation, the patient was up-to-date with vaccinations, flea and deworming treatment and registered at a local first opinion veterinary practice.
Physical examination revealed a heart rate of 179 beats per minute (bpm), respiratory rate of 88 respirations per minute, and her mucous membranes and pads were congested. Thoracic auscultation was unremarkable with no heart murmur or gallop sound detected. Neurological examination revealed bilaterally dilated and unresponsive pupils; spontaneous nystagmus (involuntary, rapid and repetitive movement of the eyes) was not present and the remainder of the examination was unremarkable.
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