Diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism in a cat using echocardiography and pulmonary scintigraphy.
A 10-year-old male cat was presented with sudden onset of respiratory difficulties. Clinical examination revealed an acute dyspnoea with cyanosis associated with a left systolic heart murmur. Standard thoracic radiographs excluded pulmonary oedema and showed very few pulmonary changes given the intensity of the respiratory compromise. Echocardiographic examination revealed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a thrombus in the right pulmonary artery. Pulmonary scintigraphy confirmed a pulmonary thromboembolism with hypovascularisation of the left cranial lobe and of the ventral segment of the right lobe. Conservative treatment was instituted using an antibiotic (doxycycline), anticoagulants (heparin, coumadine) and a calcium inhibitor (diltiazem). The cat was given absolute rest. The general condition of the animal improved.
Pouchelon
J L
JL
Department of Cardiology, National Veterinary School Alfort, France.
Chetboul
V
V
Devauchelle
P
P
Delisle
F
F
Mai
W
W
Vial
V
V
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D002415:Cats; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012119:Respiration / Q000502:physiology; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin; D004110:Diltiazem; D004318:Doxycycline