title: Tracheal foreign body and pneumonia in a cat: a near missed diagnosis.
abstract: A 12 yr old mixed-breed Maine coon was referred with a 1 wk history of intermittent respiratory distress. Physical examination and thoracic radiograph abnormalities were consistent with bronchopneumonia and chronic feline asthma. Repeat thoracic radiographs and lung aspirate cytology supported those diagnoses. Response to treatment was incomplete. One wk later, due to a change in respiratory pattern, cervical radiographs were obtained. A soft-tissue density was apparent in the cat's cervical trachea. Bronchoscopy was performed and a segment of a pine cone was removed from the cat's trachea. Following removal of the foreign body, the cat's respiratory signs resolved. Premature diagnostic closure may prevent a clinician from recognizing an underlying missed diagnosis when response to treatment does not occur as expected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johns
authors.forename: Rance
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sellon
authors.forename: Erick
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tucker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001996:Bronchopneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000662:veterinary; D014132:Trachea