First report of in a feral domestic shorthair cat in North America

Authors

Nicholas A. Crossland, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Cory R. Hanks, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Jayde A. Ferguson, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Commercial Fisheries, Anchorage, AK, USA.
Michael L. Kent, Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Corvallis, OR, USA.
Justin L. Sanders, Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Corvallis, OR, USA.
Fabio Del Piero, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2015

Abstract

CASE SUMMARY: A feral domestic shorthair cat was euthanized owing to acute onset and progression of neurological signs attributed to ethylene glycol toxicity. At post-mortem examination two nodules were identified within the fundus of the stomach. Examination of the gastric nodules revealed an intact mucosal surface, each with multiple red slender nematodes extending through an individual central pore. Histopathological evaluation of the nodules highlighted unique reactive fibroplasia, mimicking feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia (FGESF), encasing numerous nematodes with females possessing gravid uteri containing abundant larvated eggs. The latter findings were highly suggestive of the genus, further supported by an en face evaluation of the buccal cavity, highlighting a distinctive trifid tooth appearance. Together, these findings are consistent with . PCR for the COX-1 gene was unsuccessful on formalin-fixed specimens, attributed to nucleic acid and protein crosslinking. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: This represents the first documented case of species in a feral domestic shorthair cat in North America. This particular cat lived in the highly urban environment of New Orleans, Louisiana. Identification of this case demonstrates the potential for feral cats to serve as reservoir hosts and ultimately support transmission of species into domesticated cat populations. Gastric cylicospiruriasis may present clinically as a firm abdominal mass, potentially with a history of chronic vomiting. The latter emphasizes the importance of differentiating this condition from a neoplastic process such as alimentary lymphoma and adenocarcinoma. Histologically, the unique thick anastomosing collagenous cords encasing nematodes represent a stereotypical response observed in a broad array of gastrointestinal inflammation in felines, including intralesional bacteria, fungal hyphae, foreign bodies and, in this case, gastric nematodes that closely resemble FGESF. Additionally, these unique histological lesions have previously been misinterpreted as neoplastic conditions, including sclerosing mast cell tumor and extraosseous osteosarcoma.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

JFMS open reports

First Page

2055116915593964

Recommended Citation

Crossland, N. A., Hanks, C. R., Ferguson, J. A., Kent, M. L., Sanders, J. L., & Del Piero, F. (2015). First report of in a feral domestic shorthair cat in North America. JFMS open reports, 1 (2), 2055116915593964. https://doi.org/10.1177/2055116915593964