Experimental alimentary toxic aleukia in cats.

T-2 toxin was given to cats every other day per os to evaluate the suitability of this species as a model for the human disease, alimentary toxic aleukia. The chronic lethal intoxication resulting was characterized by pancytopenia, hemorrhagic diatheses, bone marrow aplasia, diminished hemostasis, severe lymphatic tissue alterations, and histopathologic changes in proliferative tissue. Clinical signs included vomiting, bloody feces, weakness, lassitude, ataxia, dyspnea, dehydration, loss of weight, and pre-terminal anorexia. The clinical course, hematologic picture, and the gross and microscopic tissue changes seen in the experimentally produced disease in cats were similar to alimentary toxic aleukia, a frequently fatal mycotoxin induced disease of man.