Six cases of Rhodococcus equi infection in cats are described. One cat had
pneumonia and died. The remaining five cats had cutaneous lesions affecting
the feet in four of the cats and the metacarpus in one cat, and all these
cats recovered with the aid of antibiotics. All the Rhodococcus equi isolat
es were sensitive to amoxycillin/clavulanic acid and, where used, at least
14-16 days of treatment was needed to help eliminate the infection. Histolo
gically and cytologically the reaction was pyogranulomatous and many macrop
hages in the lesions contained large numbers of Gram-positive bacteria.