Severe sepsis in cats: 29 cases (1986–1998)

TLDR

The study documents clinical, clinicopathologic, and pathologic findings in 29 cats with severe sepsis, aiming to identify species‑specific abnormalities and antemortem diagnostic criteria for feline systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Cats with severe sepsis exhibited lethargy, pale mucous membranes, tachypnea, bradycardia, weak pulses, icterus, and diffuse abdominal pain; laboratory tests revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia, band neutrophilia, hypoalbuminemia, low alkaline phosphatase, and hyperbilirubinemia; necropsy showed multi‑organ necrosis or inflammation with intralesional bacteria. Recognizing this constellation of clinical findings can aid in diagnosing severe sepsis in cats.

Abstract

To document the clinical, clinicopathologic, and pathologic findings in cats with severe sepsis, identify abnormalities unique to this species, and identify criteria that could be used antemortem to diagnose the systemic inflammatory response syndrome in cats.Retrospective study.29 cats confirmed to have severe sepsis at necropsy.Pertinent history, physical examination findings, and results of hematologic and biochemical testing were extracted from medical records.Clinical diagnoses included pyothorax, septic peritonitis, bacteremia secondary to gastrointestinal tract disease, pneumonia, endocarditis, pyelonephritis, osteomyelitis, pyometra, and bite wounds. Physical examination findings included lethargy, pale mucous membranes, poor pulse quality, tachypnea, hypo- or hyperthermia, signs of diffuse pain on abdominal palpation, bradycardia, and icterus. Clinicopathologic abnormalities included anemia, thrombocytopenia, band neutrophilia, hypoalbuminemia, low serum alkaline phosphatase activity, and hyperbilirubinemia. Necropsy findings included multi-organ necrosis or inflammation with intralesional bacteria.Results suggest that severe sepsis in cats is characterized by lethargy, pale mucous membranes, signs of diffuse abdominal pain, tachypnea, bradycardia, weak pulses, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypothermia, and icterus. Recognition of this combination of clinical findings should facilitate the diagnosis of severe sepsis in cats.