Lymphoma is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy of cats, and leukaemia is closely related to it. Lymphocytes occur in every organ, so lymphoma can arise almost anywhere. Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is the classic cause, but the pattern has shifted: much of the disease seen today is gastrointestinal and FeLV-negative.
Key facts
Lymphoblastic leukemia at a glance- Species and system: cat; hemic/lymphatic.
- Cause: often unknown. FeLV and FIV raise the risk; as many as 30% of progressively FeLV-infected cats develop lymphoma or lymphoid leukaemia (MSD).
- Forms: alimentary (gastrointestinal), mediastinal, multicentric, renal, nasal and other extranodal sites, plus leukaemia.
- Classic presentation: signs follow the site: vomiting and weight loss (gut), dyspnoea with pleural effusion (mediastinal), polyuria and weight loss with big kidneys (renal), nasal discharge (nasal).
- Zoonotic or reportable: FeLV is not zoonotic.
What's inside
12 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
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 3 self-test questions and 6 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.