This week’s case is a 13-year-old male neutered domestic short haired cat with recent anorexia. Grade 3/6 heart murmur detected on cardiac auscultation, with harsh lung sounds and tachypnea.
Findings
The cardiac silhouette is moderately enlarged on all projections. There is a diffuse bronchointerstitial pattern, with mild distension of the pulmonary vasculature. The remainder of the thorax appears normal.Differential Diagnosis
- Cardiomegaly likely due to cardiomyopathy
- Differentials for the pulmonary pattern include mild cardiogenic pulmonary edema and lower airway disease
Diagnosis
Echocardiography confirmed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A diuretic trial was initiated to differentiate dyspnea due to pulmonary edema vs. lower airway disease. The radiograph taken the next day showed resolution of the majority of the pulmonary pattern, confirming pulmonary edema.