Feline dysautonomia (Key-Gaskell syndrome) is a rare disease in which neurons of the autonomic nervous system degenerate. Both sympathetic and parasympathetic functions fail, producing a distinctive mix of eye, gut, bladder and nasal signs. It is a classic example of a multisystemic disease explained by one nervous-system lesion.
Key facts
Dysautonomia at a glance- Species and system: cat; autonomic nervous system with ocular, gastrointestinal and urinary effects.
- Cause: unknown. Involvement of Clostridium botulinum type C/D neurotoxin has been suggested (MSD; Nunn 2004).
- Signalment: any age, but more common in younger cats (median 3.9 years, MSD).
- Classic presentation: anorexia, regurgitation, constipation, dry nose, mydriasis, third eyelid protrusion and reduced tear production.
- Diagnosis: signs, radiographs and pharmacological testing such as 0.05% pilocarpine; definitive diagnosis is histology of autonomic ganglia.
- Treatment: supportive only. Not zoonotic or reportable.
What's inside
14 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Working through a case
- Common pitfalls
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 5 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.