Abstract
A complete blood count of a domestic shorthair cat with a history of anorexia and weight loss indicated leukocytosis and non-regenerative anemia. A blood smear showed such dysplastic changes as red blood cells with 2 nuclei and macrothrombocytes and a large number of large, round cells with prominent nucleoli. A cytochemical-reaction test for peroxidase and Sudan black was negative. Nonspecific esterase reaction yielded positive results, and the reaction was blocked by sodium fluoride. Results of a test for feline leukemia-virus antigens were positive in peripheral blood. Prednisolone therapy and blood transfusions were performed. Because of increased number of blast cells in peripheral blood, after 2 months, chemotherapy with L-asparginase, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and adreamycin was initiated. After chemotherapy, bone-marrow findings showed increased number of blastic cells and monocytes. On the basis of the French-American-British acute-leukemia classification, this case was diagnosed as acute monycytic leukemia. The cat died 200 days after referral.
