title: Diagnosis of dysautonomia in a cat by autonomic nervous system function testing.
abstract: Clinical signs of dysautonomia, including dilated pupils, dry mucous membranes, and megaesophagus, were observed in a cat. The diagnosis was confirmed by use of autonomic nervous system function testing including 0.1% pilocarpine and physostigmine ocular response tests, plasma catecholamine assays, and cardiovascular responses to various perturbations intended to elicit autonomic responses. The cause of the autonomic dysfunction was not ascertained, and the cat was euthanatized after 5 weeks of unsuccessful treatment with pilocarpine, metoclopramide, prochlorperazine, and parenteral nutrition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211.
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Guilford
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Allert
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Ermeling
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002415:Cats; D008297:Male