Retinal degeneration relating to taurine deficiency in a cat.

A 13-year-old spayed Siamese had normal pupillary light reflexes and visual acuity, a dull haircoat , and a history of eating dog food. Binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy of the left fundus revealed an ellipsoid, hyperreflective lesion in the area centralis and a second lesion medial and adjacent to the optic disk. The right fundus had a hyperreflective band from the temporal to nasal quadrants. The plasma taurine level was 10 nmol/g (normal greater than 100 nmol/g). Central retinal degeneration secondary to taurine deficiency was diagnosed. Inclusion of fresh meat and fish in the cat's diet halted progression of the lesions.