Abstract

A cat aged 11 appeared with dyspnea that had been present for one week. The cat has previously experienced allergies, which were being treated with cyclosporine. Upon physical examination, it was discovered that the cat was oxygen-dependent and had an elevated respiratory effort and rate. A severe diffuse nodular pulmonary pattern,suggestive of metastatic neoplasia, was seen on thoracic radiography. An abdomen ultrasound was carried out to check for any main masses or signs of a widespread illness. There was a 4.3 2.2 cm ileocolic mass present. Poor exfoliation was observed in intestinal mass fine-needle aspirates. IgM and IgG titres for Toxoplasma gondii were measured (IgM 1:20 and IgG >1:20,480). The pulmonary nodules were fine-needled aspirated, revealing neutrophilic and macrophagic inflammation along with numerous 2-4 m, crescent-shaped organisms that were consistent with Toxoplasma gondii.Clindamycin was prescribed in place of the drug cyclosporine. Three days later, the cat was released. Re-imaging showed that the intestinal and lung lesions were healed. Clinical recovery was made.

Background: Particularly when an abdominal mass is detected during an ultrasound examination, diffuse nodular pulmonary patterns found on radiographs are frequently thought to be cancerous tumours. 1 A precise diagnosis frequently requires cytology since widespread protozoal or fungal illnesses might mimic neoplastic disease. 1, 2 If the right treatment is started as soon as possible, the prognosis for these differentials may differ. An indoor-only senior cat with dyspnea, a radiographically visible nodular pulmonary pattern, and a concurrent abdominal mass is described in this case. Toxoplasmosis was ultimately determined to be the cause of the cat’s symptoms after an ultrasoundguided fine-needle aspirate of a pulmonary nodule revealed a significantly elevated IgG titre and a positive response to clindamycin therapy.