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Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery logoLink to Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
. 2009 Oct 1;11(10):869–872. doi: 10.1016/j.jfms.2009.03.010

Peripheral neuropathy in a cat with renal lymphoma

Paola Cavana 1, Federica Sammartano 2, Maria T Capucchio 3, Deborah Catalano 4, Alberto Valazza 5, Anna M Farca 6
PMCID: PMC11135501  PMID: 19464217

Abstract

A 12-year-old male cat was referred for progressive limb weakness lasting 2 weeks. Physical examination detected muscle atrophy and bilateral renomegaly with distortion of the renal contours. The cat was ambulatory but tetraparetic. It showed a peculiar posture on forelimbs with bilateral flexion of the carpi and extrarotation of forearms. The cat was unable to go upstairs or jump. Neurological examination showed findings compatible with peripheral nervous system involvement. Histopathological findings revealed a high grade non-B, non-T cell renal lymphoma and peripheral neuropathy characterised by demyelination, axonal degeneration and muscle denervation. In the absence of congenital, metabolic and infectious diseases or exposure to toxins, a paraneoplastic peripheral neuropathy was hypothesised. In humans and dogs, paraneoplastic peripheral neuropathies have been documented with different neoplastic processes including lymphoproliferative disorders. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of suspected paraneoplastic polyneuropathy in a cat with malignant tumour.

Contributor Information

Paola Cavana, Section of Clinical Science, Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.

Federica Sammartano, Section of Clinical Science, Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.

Maria T. Capucchio, Section of Pathological Anatomy, Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy

Deborah Catalano, Section of Pathological Anatomy, Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.

Alberto Valazza, Section of Clinical Science, Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.

Anna M. Farca, Section of Clinical Science, Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy  anna.farca@unito.it

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