Multisystemic manifestations of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in a young domestic shorthair cat.

ABSTRACT:

Case summary

A 4.5-year-old male castrated, predominantly indoor-housed domestic shorthair cat presented with lethargy, anorexia and fever, progressing rapidly to severe respiratory distress and neurologic dysfunction. Clinical evaluation and advanced diagnostics revealed widespread systemic disease involving the lower respiratory tract, nervous and hepatic systems. Despite aggressive supportive care, including intravenous fluids, antiemetics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the cat's condition deteriorated, necessitating humane euthanasia. Post-mortem gross findings included consolidated lungs with peribronchiolar pallor, multifocal to coalescing hepatic hemorrhage and multifocal gastrointestinal ulcerations. Histopathologic examination revealed necrotizing and neutrophi

SUBMITTER: Granger KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12614890 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature