Feline dysautonomy

The Feline dysautonomia (Syn. Key-Gaskell syndrome ) is a cat disease caused by an impairment of the autonomic nervous system is characterized. The disease was first described in 1982, the cause of the disease is unknown. Affected animals show a reduced general well-being, nictitating membrane prolapse, dry eyes, dilated pupils , back flow of food , defecation and urination disorders. There is no specific therapy, the majority of the sick animals are euthanized because of the poor prognosis.

Causes and Disease Development

The cause and development of the disease are so far unknown. Viruses , toxins , an autoimmune disease or infections with Clostridium botulinum type C are discussed as possible triggers . Feline dysautonomy is characterized by degeneration of nerve cells in the ganglia of the autonomic nervous system . Such degenerations are found in the celiac ganglion and in other prevertebral ganglia , but also in the parasympathetic core areas of the cranial nerves and the spinal cord and the nerve cells of the enteric nervous system .

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Animals of all ages can get sick. Affected animals show a reduced general condition. The nose is dry and crusty. On the eye to show haw incident, diminished to absent tear and pupil dilation ( mydriasis ) with preserved Drohreaktion . The backflow of food into the oral cavity ( regurgitation ), cotane clogging in the rectum ( coprostasis ) and bladder emptying disorders ( dysuria or bladder paralysis) are also typical. A decrease in heart rate is also often observed.

Accelerated constriction of the pupil is typical after the administration of pilocarpine , which usually occurs within 15 minutes, whereas in healthy animals it only occurs after 45 minutes. The atropine test (the administration of atropine ) does not lead to an increase in heart rate in sick cats. The test should only be used in exceptional cases because of possible life-threatening side effects. The tear production is checked with the Schirmer test . X-rays , also with contrast media , are useful to differentiate between other causes of coprostasis. An ultrasound examination of the bladder is indicated to rule out other causes of urinary retention . Infectious diseases such as feline leukemia , feline infectious peritonitis and immunodeficiency syndrome in cats should also be considered in the differential diagnosis .

Treatment and prognosis

There is no causal therapy, so treatment can only be symptomatic . Metoclopramide can be used to combat regurgitation ; in the case of a megaesophagus , feeding with the head raised or the insertion of a nasogastric tube is necessary. Dry eyes are treated with a tear substitute. Feces and urination must be corrected manually. The use of Bethanechol can also be tried.

The prognosis is to be assessed as unfavorable, only about 20-30% of the animals show an improvement of the symptoms, which can drag on for a period of one year. In the majority of cases, the animals are euthanized because of their increasingly poor general condition.

literature

• Anja Gerlatzek et al .: Feline Dysautonomy (Key-Gaskell Syndrome) in a hangover . In: Small Animal Practice . tape 56 , 2011, p. 473-481 .

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