Generalized lymphadenopathy means that all (or most) of the lymph nodes in the body are enlarged.Ĭats with feline leukemia are immunocompromised, which may lead to a range of secondary health issues.Localized lymphadenopathy means that one, or a small number, of lymph nodes are enlarged.What Are Enlarged Lymph Nodes (Lymphadenopathy)?Įnlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy or lymphadenomegaly) are diagnosed when one or more lymph nodes is larger than normal. Lymph nodes in cats are tiny (like small frozen peas) until they become active, when they can swell up many times bigger than this. The immune cells work hard to neutralize incoming threats to the health of the body. The lymph nodes are clusters of immune cells (including lymphocytes and white blood cells) which act like biological filters at regular points along the lymph vessels, filtering out debris including bacteria and viruses. These lymph vessels gather and channel loose fluid from the extremities of the body, carrying the fluid back to the chest where it’s fed back into the bloodstream. Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, a network of narrow lymph vessels that parallel the blood vessels in the body. Various internal locations such as the chest (mediastinal) and abdomen (intestines, mesenteric).Lymph nodes, also known as “glands,” are small, solid gatherings of immune cells that are found in many parts of the body, including: But there is one part of the immune system that sometimes becomes very obvious: the lymph nodes. Most of the immune system works away quietly on its own inside cats, out of sight, producing antibodies, T-cells, and other cells and factors to protect the body against viruses and other threats to health. The first stage to learning about lymph node enlargement is to learn about normal lymph nodes, which are a key part of the immune system. This is a common finding in sick cats, with many possible causes. The aim of this article is to provide a simple, clear explanation about enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) for cat owners.
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