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Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis in Cats

When cancerous lymphoid cells (lymphocytes and plasma cells) infiltrate lung tissue, it is known as Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis, a rare disease that affects cats. Metastasis may occue in other body sites and organs like the liver, heart, spleen, pancreas, and kidney.

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is not breed- or gender-specific, but is more common in large and purebred cats.

Symptoms and Types

Respiratory symptoms are often seen which aggravate over time. The following are a few of the more common symptoms related to this disease:

• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Inability to exercise
• Weight loss (cachexia)
• Lack of appetite (anorexia)
• Fever (in some animals)

Causes

The underlying cause for lymphomatoid granulomatosis is currently unknown.

Diagnosis

You will need to give a thorough history of your cat’s health, including the onset and nature of the symptoms, to your veterinarian. He or she will then perform a complete physical examination as well a biochemistry profile, urinalysis, and complete blood count -- the results of which are usually non-specific and inconsistent with the disease.

Blood testing, meanwhile, may reveal an abnormally high number of neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils (all types of white blood cells) in the blood. And X-rays will reveal details related to lung tissue and abnormalities. The attending veterinarian may also take a small lung tissue sample (biopsy) to be sent to veterinary pathologist for a definitive diagnosis.