1. Hypernatremia in a Cat with Toxoplasma-Induced Panencephalitis.
- Author
-
Weingart C, Gruber AD, Brunnberg M, and Kohn B
- Subjects
- Animals, Cat Diseases etiology, Cat Diseases parasitology, Cats, Diabetes Insipidus complications, Encephalitis blood, Encephalitis parasitology, Female, Toxoplasmosis, Animal complications, Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral blood, Cat Diseases blood, Diabetes Insipidus veterinary, Encephalitis veterinary, Hypernatremia veterinary, Toxoplasmosis, Animal blood, Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral veterinary
- Abstract
A 12 yr old female neutered Carthusian crossbreed cat was presented due to progressive neurological signs. Clinical signs included dehydration, stupor, and anisocoria. Laboratory examination revealed severe hypernatremia, azotemia, hyperglobulinemia, and an erythrocytosis. Clinical signs and hypernatremia suggested an intracranial process. Imaging studies revealed a loss of structure in the cerebrum, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland. Due to a poor prognosis, the cat was euthanatized. Histopathological examination revealed a subacute granulomatous and necrotizing panencephalitis with Toxoplasma-typical protozoa. The Toxoplasma-induced dysfunction of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland led to diabetes insipidus, which was, in combination with insufficient water intake, the most likely cause for the hypernatremia.
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF