FELINE SKIN GRANULOMA ASSOCIATED WITH MYCOBACTERIUM-AVIUM

AN apparently healthy six-year-old neutered male, domestic shorthair c at was presented for routine revaccination and subsequently returned w ith a subcutaneous lump behind the jaw. No lesions were present in the mouth and the rectal temperature was 39 degrees C. Treatment with cep halexin (Ceporex; Mallinckrodt) did not improve the clinical condition of the animal and the mass was removed and potentiated sulphonamides prescribed. The wound healed without complications but eight months la ter a swelling appeared on the right side of the neck. This tissue was removed and sent for histopathological examination which revealed a g ranulomatous reaction with many intracellular acid-fast organisms pres ent within macrophages. There was no evidence of lymphoid tissue. With in three weeks the cat developed another mass:in the region of the rig ht prescapular lymph node. Surgical removal was attempted but, because of extensive fibrosis and poorly defined margins, excision was' incom plete. Histopathological examination of the tissue revealed the mass t o be of lymphoid origin with extensive replacement of the lymph node b y fibrosis and macrophages laden with acid-fast organisms.