A Case A Week for Veterinarians
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Monday, January 19, 2009
Case 12
Presentation:
A 20 yr old neutered male Siamese cat was presented to the AcaseAweek clinic for dyspnea, anorexia, and lethargy. The cat was brought in by people who were watching it while the owners have been away. Vaccination and heartworm prevention status’s are both unknown.


Physical exam:
Weight: 4.5kg
T: 101.2 F
P: 220
R:60
Mouth: severe odontoclastic resorptive lesions and gingivitis
Auscultation: Severe gallop rhythm with grade III systolic murmur with PMI greatest over the LAV valve, respiratory sounds: crackles.
Abdominal palpation: very distended with a fluid wave. No masses were palpated.
Musculoskeletal: Generalized Weakness
General appearance: depressed, dyspneic, weak


CBC and chemistry panel were unremarkable except a mildly elevated BUN and creatinine.

ELISA snap test was positive for heartworm.


Abdominocentesis cytology revealed an obstructive transudate that was mildly cellular, containing mostly round, mesothelial type cells with some neutrophils and few lymphocytes.


Once the cat was stabilized, thoracic and abdominal radiographs were taken and are shown below:


What are the radiographic findings?
What is your diagnosis?
Give differentials for your diagnosis.
How will you treat and manage this case?
Solution to this case
posted by Dr Banga's Websites @ 12:00 AM  
1 Comments:
  • At January 21, 2009 at 1:10 PM, Blogger Irene Arboleda said…

    Radiographic Diagnosis: Valentine appearing heart because of biatrial enlargement

    Diagnosis: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)with accompanying abdominal neoplasia (mainly because of the age of the patient and presence of mesothelial cells in the obstructive transudate, dynamic aortic outflow obstruction can also be a cause, which accompanies HCM)

    Differential Diagnosis:
    Hyperthyroidism
    Aortic Stenosis
    Systemic Hypertension
    Acromegaly
    Noncardiac causes of pleural effusion (eg. pyothorax, chylothorax, neoplasia, diaphragmatic hernia)

    Treatment and Management:
    Minimize stress

    Administer Diltiazem at 7.5-15 mg/cat PO q 8 hrs or 10 mg/kg PO q 24 hrs (Cardizem)

    Give also Propanolol at 2.5-10 mg/cat PO q8h-12h. Avoid beta blockers with emboli

    Aspirin 80mg/cat q 2-3 days

    Furosemide at 1-2 mg/kg PO IM, IV q 8h-24h

    Nitroglycerin Ointment for venodilation, it lowers atrial filling pressures thereby reducing pulmonary edema or pleural effusion

     
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