Lymphadenopathy in Cats

 

Lymph nodes play an integral part in the functioning of the immune system, acting as filters for the blood and as storage places for white blood cells. Consequently, they are often the first indicators of disease in the tissues. When tissues become inflamed, the regional lymph nodes that these tissues drain into will also become inflamed and swollen in response. This swelling is due to a reactive increase in white blood cells (hyperplasia) due to the localized presence of an infectious agent. This is medically defined as reactive hyperplasia: when white blood cells and plasma cells (antibody secreting cells) multiply in response to a substance that stimulates their production (antigenic stimulation), causing the lymph node to enlarge. Lymph nodes can be found throughout the body, and under normal conditions they are small masses of tissue that are mostly imperceptible to the non-professional.

 

Lymphadenitis is a condition in which the lymphatic glands have become inflamed due to infection. Neutrophils (the most abundant type of white blood cell, and the first to act against infection), activated macrophages (cells which eat bacteria and other infectious agents), and eosinophils (cells which fight parasites and allergy causing agents) will migrate into the lymph node during an episode of lymphadenitis. This convergence of cells results in a palpably swollen feeling and appearance.

 

Cancerous cells may also be found in a lymph node biopsy. Cancer cells may be primary, originating in the lymph node (malignant lymphoma), or may be there as a result of the spread of cancer from another location in the body (metastasis).

 

Symptoms and Types

 

Lymph nodes can usually be detected by touch, but sometimes there will be no clinical symptoms. Swelling can be felt in the area beneath the jaw (submandibular), or around the shoulder. Swelling in one of the legs is also possible as a result of swollen lymph nodes at the back of the leg (popliteal), or near the joint of the leg (axillary — correlating with the armpit). Swollen nodes in the area near the groin (inguinal) may make defecation difficult for your cat. Your cat may also feel a general malaise, with a lack of appetite due to nausea, and an urge to regurgitate. If your cat has severely enlarged lymph nodes it may have trouble taking food into its mouth, or have difficulty with breathing.

 

Causes

 

• Lymphoid hyperplasia: when lymph nodes react to an infectious agent by producing an excess of white blood cells, but are not themselves infected
• Lymphadenitis: when the lymph nodes themselves are infected either primarily or secondarily
• Infectious agents:
  • Sporotrichosis: fungal infection of the skin, acquired from soil, hay, plants (most notably, garden roses); affects skin, lungs, bones, brain; this is the type that most frequently affects cats
• Bacterial:
  • Rickettsia: transmitted by ticks and fleas
  • Bartonella spp: transmitted by biting flies
  • Brucella canis: sexually transmitted; acquired during breeding
  • Pasteurella: transmitted through the respiratory system
  • Yersinia pestis : transmitted by fleas and possibly rodents; also known as the plague
  • Fusobacterium: infection of the mouth, chest, throat, lungs
  • Francisella tularensis: tularemia; transmitted by ticks, deer flies, and by the dispersion of gases from an infected animal carcass (frequently occurring during lawn-mowing)
  • Mycobacterial: transmitted by infected water supply
• Viral:
  • Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
  • Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
• Non-infectious agents:
  • Allergens: lymph glands respond to an allergic reaction in the body by producing more cells – usually occurs in the lymph nodes near the site of the reaction
  • Immune-mediated disease: the body’s immune system over-reacts to an invasion, or reacts inappropriately
  • Eosinophilic infiltration: multiplication of white blood cells responsible for controlling allergy response, or for fighting parasitic agents
  • Feline hypereosinophilic syndromes: excessive eosinophils, may be associated with leukemia, blood marrow infection, asthma, or allergy

 

 

Diagnosis

 

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your cat. A complete blood profile will be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, an electrolyte panel, urinalysis, and a blood smear.

 

Lymph node aspirates (fluid) will also be taken for microscopic (cytologic) examination. Abnormal tissue growth, tumors (neoplasia), and fungal infections can also be confirmed via cytologic examination of lymph node aspirates.

 

You will need to give a thorough history of your cat’s health, including a background history of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have precipitated this condition. The history you provide may give your veterinarian clues as to which organs are causing secondary enlargement of the regional lymph nodes.

 

Other useful blood tests include the feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus tests, and serologic (blood serum) tests for antibodies against systemic fungal agents (Blastomyces and Cryptococcus), or bacteria (Bartonella spp.). Radiograph and ultrasound imaging will allow your doctor to visually inspect the affected lymph nodes, and may also enable detection of lesions associated with lymph node enlargement in other organs.

 

Treatment

 

Prescribed treatment and medication will be dependent on the underlying cause of the lymph node enlargement.

 

Living and Management

 

Some infections are zoonotic, meaning that they can be transmitted to humans. Systemic diseases, like sporotrichosis, Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, and Bartonella spp, are zoonotic. If your cat is diagnosed with one of these zoonotic diseases, ask your veterinarian what precautions you will need to take to avoid infection.