Splenic abscessation due to a migrating grass awn in a cat
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52331/v31i36j09Keywords:
grass awn, splenic abscess, migrating foreign body, plant foreign body, splenectomy, catAbstract
Migrating grass awns are a recognized cause of foreign-body inflammation and abscessation in dogs and cats; however, splenic involvement in feline patients is exceptionally rare. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second documented feline case of splenic abscessation associated with a migrating plant foreign body. This report describes a 6-year-old domestic shorthaired cat that presented with pyrexia, anorexia, and a mass in the left abdominal cavity. Ultrasonography revealed focal lesions in the spleen, and exploratory laparoscopy identified a splenic abscess with localized peritonitis. An exploratory coeliotomy and total splenectomy was performed. Histopathological examination showed multiple abscesses, microinfarctions and a grass awn embedded in the spleen. This case report highlights the importance of considering migrating foreign bodies in the differential diagnosis of atypical splenic lesions and demonstrates surgical intervention can lead to a favorable outcome.
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