Right and Left Sided Heart Failure, Pleural Effusion, Atrial Enlargement in a 3 year old FS DSH cat

Case Study

Case Study

Right and Left Sided Heart Failure, Pleural Effusion, Atrial Enlargement in a 3 year old FS DSH cat

Presenting Clinical Signs: Owner states pet is very lethargic, not eating or drinking for “a few days”. Also c/o fleas. Pet had topical OTC flea med Thursday morning. No other meds. 

Physical Exam: Lethargy, lateral with 10% dehydration and very thin body condition. Pale mm, Poor body condition

Presenting Clinical Signs: Owner states pet is very lethargic, not eating or drinking for “a few days”. Also c/o fleas. Pet had topical OTC flea med Thursday morning. No other meds. 

Physical Exam: Lethargy, lateral with 10% dehydration and very thin body condition. Pale mm, Poor body condition

Image Interpretation

Echocardiogram: The heart presented severe volume overload of the left atrium. Left atrium measured approximately 2 to 2.5 cm. Hypocontractility was noted in the M-Modes provided as well as subjective assessment of the B-Mode images. LA/AO ratio was >3 to 1 at heart base and in June Boon position. Right atrial and right ventricular volume overload also noted. Pleural effusion noted. Subjectively the septal and free wall thicknesses were mildly thickened. Significant turbulence was noted at the left ventricular outflow tract on Color Flow assessment.

DX

Right and left-sided heart failure. Type of cardiomyopathy to be determined. Pleural effusion. Severe left atrial and right atrial enlargement; likely pulmonary hypertension

Comments

 

 Recommend stabilization with Lasix, Pimobendan off label at 0.25 mg/kg BID, Lasix at 2 to 3 mg/kg BID. Torbutrol as needed in order to calm the patient and Plavix therapy would also be warranted. Oxygen therapy as needed. Monitoring respiratory rate and radiographs recommended. This patient is at high risk for sudden death. A complete echocardiogram is recommended in 36 to 48 hours when the patient is stable. 

Guarded prognosis 

Patient Information

Patient Name : Snowflake Alvarex, Critical Care Vet
Gender : Female, Spayed
Species : Feline
Type of Imaging : Ultrasound
Status : Complete
Liz Wuz Here : Yes

Clinical Signs

  • Anorexia
  • Lethargy

Exam Finding

  • Dehydration
  • Lethargy
  • Pale Mucous Membranes
  • Poor or unkempt coat
  • Weight loss

Images

bildschirmfoto_2015-09-06_um_20

Clinical Signs

  • Anorexia
  • Lethargy
Skip to content