Case Study

RAD – Decompensating cardiomyopathy and vascular lung pattern in a 8 year old FS Persian cat

The patient is a 8 year old FS Persian cat presented for not being ambulatory on her front legs.

DX

Cardiomegaly with atrial enlargement and vascular lung pattern, likely decompensating cardiomyopathy

Image Interpretation

right lateral, left lateral and VD thorax and abdomen – The patient was thin.
There were moderate degenerative changes of the axial skeleton including moderate
spondylosis deformans at T11 to T13 and L5/6.
The lungs were fairly inflated.
A mild amount of gas was noted within the thoracic esophagus which is an incidental
finding.
The course of the trachea was within normal limits. There was no mediastinal
widening.
The cardiac silhouette was elongated and rotatded cranially. There was marked
widening of the cardiac silhouette level with the atria. There was a marked vascular
pattern throughout.
A mild generalized bronchial pattern was noted which was likely age related.
The serosal detail was maintained.
Moderate aerophagia and a maldigestion pattern was note which may be related to respiratory distress, stress and/or pain.
A rectangular soft tissue opaque structure was seen within the gastric fundus which
likely was compatible with food. Foreign material cannot be ruled ot entirely here.
The liver and spleen were within normal limits. The urinary tract was within normal
limits.

Outcome

A full cardiac echo is stronlgy advised.
Consider the potential of and look for spontaneous echo contrast indicating thrombus
formation. Furthermore ultrasonographic screening of the abdominal aorta and iliac
trifurcation as well as the renal arteries for emboli is recommended. Ensure presence
and check quality of the femoral pulses bilaterally by palpation. Ensure presence of
peripheral pulse by Doppler measurement if available. Check distal hind limb
temperature.
Images