This week’s case is a 10-year-old female neutered Siamese cat with 2-day history of labored breathing. Looking at the single image below, how would you describe this pattern?
Findings
The nasopharynx and trachea are markedly dilated, consistent with severe respiratory effort. The diaphragm is flattened and there is gas within the stomach indicating aerophagia and hyperinflation. There is a severe, diffuse, mixed pulmonary pattern with a peribronchial component. The cardiovascular structures appear normal. Within the abdomen, there is a calculus superimposed on the kidneys.Differential Diagnosis
- Severe inflammatory airway disease with pneumonitis
- Infiltrative neoplasia
Diagnosis
- Bronchoalveolar Carcinoma
- The neoplasia encompassed approximately 85% of the pulmonary parenchyma with extensive regions of necrosis