Analysis of abdominal effusion in a feline suspected infectious peritonitis

Abstract

Feline infectious peritonitis is the viral pathology with the highest mortality in this species. It affects mainly those living in a high density animal environment and free life, and can be diagnosed in both domestic and wild animals. The feline coranavirus is the etiological agent, characterized by two pathological biotypes, presenting two symptomatological forms, the dry and wet form, the latter being the most common and lethal, having as the main clinical sign the formation of free liquid, being either pleural or peritoneal. Because it does not present specific clinical signs, the suggestive diagnosis occurs through the exclusion of other diseases. The laboratory evaluation of effusion in the wet presentation of the disease, is important to obtain a more assertive diagnosis. The patient presented a suggestive picture of the wet form of the disease, in laboratory tests lymphopenia and regenerative anemia were observed. The effusion analysis showed pale yellow, odorless, cloudy liquid, pH 8.0, protein, with a density of 1024 and positive to the Rivalta test, classified as exultant. In the microscopic evaluation of the cytological smear of the effusion, a high amount of defensive cells such as neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages activated with erythrophagocytosis compatible with neutrophilic peritonitis was observed. These findings are observed in the wet form of feline infectious peritonitis, showing the importance of the evaluation of cavity liquids.