FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS WITH NEUROLOGIC INVOLVEMENT - CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN 24 CATS

The medical records of 24 cats with histopathologically diagnosed feli ne infectious peritonitis involving the nervous system were reviewed. Seventeen cats had historical, clinical, and pathological findings of systemic disease. Twelve cats had focal signs of central nervous syste m dysfunction. Twelve cats had multifocal signs including seizures, ny stagmus, head tilt, vestibular or cerebellar ataxia, paresis, and prop rioceptive loss with a preponderance of caudal fossa signs. Computed t omography of the brain revealed hydrocephalus in two cats. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid revealed pyogranulomatous pleocytosis in five cats; the tap was nonproductive in five cats. Findings on histopatholo gical examination of appropriate tissues included nephritis, hepatitis , and pleuritis. Neuropathological findings included ependymitis, chor oid plexitis, meningitis, encephalitis, and myelitis. Hydrocephalus wa s seen in 18 cats on necropsy.