October 2016 Case of the Month

Conjunctival swab from a cat

Case information

A 6 year old male castrated domestic shorthair cat presented to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA) emergency service for evaluation of worsening eye pain and inappetance. The cat was previously seen by the ophthalmology service at CUHA one week prior for evaluation of ocular discharge and conjunctival swelling of the left eye. In the latter examination, there was no evidence of penetrating trauma or foreign body. The cat was diagnosed with conjunctivitis and discharged with erythromycin ophthalmic ointment q 8 hours.

Upon presentation to the emergency service, the cat demonstrated blepharospasm in both eyes. No other physical examination abnormalities were noted. A CBC and serum chemistry panel were performed and were largely unremarkable. A swab of the conjunctiva was performed and applied to a slide for cytologic evaluation. Representative images from the Wright’s stained smears are provided.

Evaluate the provided images below and answer the following questions:

  1. What type of inflammation is present? 
  2. Can you identify the cause of the inflammation? 
  3. What additional diagnostic could be performed to confirm the cytologic diagnosis? 

Figure 1: Conjunctival swab from a cat
Figure 1: Conjunctival swab from a cat

Figure 2: Conjunctival swab from a cat
Figure 2: Conjunctival swab from a cat

Figure 3: Conjunctival swab from a cat
Figure 3: Conjunctival swab from a cat

Figure 4: Conjunctival swab from a cat
Figure 4: Conjunctival swab from a cat

Answer on next page

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