This week’s case is a 15-year-old male neutered domestic short hair cat presenting for acute respiratory distress.. What is your interpretation?
Findings
The heart is moderately enlarged, seen best on the lateral projections. There are multiple pulmonary nodules of soft tissue opacity, as well as a larger mass in the right caudal lung lobe. There is opacification of the right cranial thorax with uniform soft tissue opacity. Between the dorsoventral and ventrodorsal projections, the soft tissue material is static. The lung lobes are retracted slightly with surrounding soft tissue opacity. The cardiac silhouette is enlarged. In the portion of the abdomen included, the liver is enlarged and extends beyond the costal arch. There is a small, smooth osseous body cranial to one humerus.
Differential Diagnosis
- The multifocal nodules and mass are most consistent with primary pulmonary neoplasia and metastasis, or neoplastic metastasis from a distant site.
- Cardiomegaly is most consistent with cardiomyopathy or other degenerative disease.
- Pleural effusion may be due to carcinomatosis or cardiac failure.
Diagnosis
- Pleural and pulmonary carcinomatosis.
- Right atrial and ventricular enlargement with tricuspid insufficiency.