Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Typhimurium induced pyelonephritis and suspected multifocal myositis in a cat

Case summary  A 2-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat presented with an acute onset of muscular pain, ataxia and fever. Serological tests for Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG, cryptococcal antigen, feline immune deficiency virus antibody and feline leukaemia virus antigen were all negative. Brain and spinal MRI showed evidence of myositis and bilateral renal parenchymal abnormalities and pyelectasis. Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Typhimurium 1,4, [5],12:i:1,2 was isolated from urine and was susceptible to amoxycillin, amoxycillin–clavulanic acid, enrofloxacin and trimethoprim–sulfonamide. All clinical signs resolved after a 2-week treatment course with oral amoxycillin–clavulanate. A repeat urine culture 7 days after completing the antimicrobial course was negative.

Relevance and novel information  Infection with Salmonella species is uncommon in cats and has not previously been reported in association with pyelonephritis or generalised myositis. The importance of performing urine culture in the initial diagnostic investigation of cats with pyrexia is highlighted in this case report.

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