A REVIEW OF POLYCYTHEMIA-VERA IN THE CAT

A seven-year-old castrated male domestic short-haired cat was examined because of a history of seizures and behavioural changes. Mucous membranes were dark pink and an absolute polycythaemia was confirmed. Respiratory disease, cardiac disease and renal disease were all eliminated as possible causes of the polycythaemia, therefore a diagnosis of polycythaemia vera was made. The cat was treated by phlebotomy and intravenous fluids. followed by oral hydroxyurea (125 mg q 24 hr). After two weeks, the cat had a reduced haematocrit with no further seizures or behavioural changes. One year after the diagnosis, it has been free of clinical signs on daily hydroxyurea (62.5 mg q 24 hr).