Spontaneous Hemoperitoneum in Cats: A Clinical Study

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of California, Medical Department, conducted a retrospective case series to describe the clinical signs, physical examination findings, and outcome in cats with spontaneous hemoperitoneum. The study, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), analyzed medical records of 65 client-owned cats with spontaneous hemoperitoneum from 7 large referral clinics. The findings highlighted the severity of spontaneous hemoperitoneum in cats, with 46% of cats having abdominal neoplasia, and 54% having nonneoplastic conditions. The prognosis for cats with spontaneous hemoperitoneum appears poor, with only 8 cats surviving to be discharged from the hospital.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 65 client-owned cats with spontaneous hemoperitoneum from 7 large referral clinics.
  • The most common historical findings were lethargy, anorexia, and vomiting.
  • Common physical examination findings included inadequate hydration status and hypothermia.
  • The most common clinicopathologic abnormalities were high serum AST activity, anemia, prolonged prothrombin time, and prolonged partial thromboplastin time.
  • Forty-six percent (30/65) of cats had abdominal neoplasia, and 54% (35/65) had nonneoplastic conditions.
  • Hemangiosarcoma was the most often diagnosed neoplasm (18/30; 60%), and the spleen was the most common location for neoplasia (11/30; 37%).
  • The prognosis for cats with spontaneous hemoperitoneum appears poor, with only 8 cats surviving to be discharged from the hospital.
  • Cats with neoplasia were significantly older and had significantly lower PCVs than cats with nonneoplastic disease.

Statistics:

  • 65 cats with spontaneous hemoperitoneum were included in the study.
  • 46% (30/65) of cats had abdominal neoplasia.
  • 54% (35/65) of cats had nonneoplastic conditions.
  • 18/30 (60%) cats had hemangiosarcoma as the most often diagnosed neoplasm.
  • 11/30 (37%) cats had neoplasia in the spleen.
  • 8 cats survived to be discharged from the hospital.

Sources:

  • Culp, W.T.N. et al. (2010). Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in cats: 65 cases (1994-2006). Javma - Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 236(9), 978-982.
  • Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. (2010). Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in cats: 65 cases (1994-2006). Javma - Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 236(9), 978-982.
  • American Veterinary Medical Association. (1931 N Meacham Rd. Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360, USA)