Fatal cytauxzoonosis in a Kentucky cat (Felis domesticus)

A male domestic shorthair cat was presented with lethargy, anorexia, pyrexia and respiratory harshness. Diagnostic clinical chemistries, viral identification and tissue fluorescent antibody testing were negative or revealed no underlying system failure. Histopathology examination revealed multifocal, variable sized and shaped protozoal life forms in the brain, heart, lung, intestine, spleen, lymph node and kidney consistent with the intraleukocytic schizonts of Cytauxzoon felis.