Today’s case is a 5-year-old male neutered domestic medium hair cat with tachypnea (RR=50) and abdominal effort when breathing. What’s your interpretation?
Findings
There is a severe diffuse bronchial pattern present. Some of the cranial lobar bronchi are mildly dilated and do not taper appropriately. The trachea is consistently dilated. The heart and pulmonary vasculature are normal. No abnormalities are noted within the mediastinum, pleural space, or portion of the abdomen included.
Differential Diagnosis
Severe lower airway disease +/- infectious component
Diagnosis
CT Impressions: Marked, diffuse bronchointerstitial pattern with ill-defined soft tissue pulmonary nodules, bronchiectasis, and tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy.
Tracheobronchoscopy and sampling: Moderate neutrophilic and eosinophilic inflammation / exudate. 1 colony Pasteurella cultured.
Can this case be differentiated from asthma without CT/BAL? As I imagine glucocorticoids would be a bad idea for this cat!