Page 58 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

50 PART 2 CAT WITH LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT OR CARDIAC SIGNS

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● Pneumonia
Uncommon in cats. Fever, fetid halitosis, crackles and wheezes heard over lung fields.
Parasitic:
● Parasites
Heartworm (Dirafilaris immitus), lung worm (Aleurostrongylus abstrusus, Capillaria aerophilia),
lung flukes (Paragonomus kellicoti), and migrating nematodes (Toxocara cati) are potential lung
pathogens. Coughing may be seen. Inappetence, weight loss and poor hair coat may be evident.
Vomiting is reported in feline heartworm disease along with dyspnea. Acute marked respiratory
distress and sudden death may also occur with heartworm.
Immune:
● Feline asthma/bronchitis complex)***
Acute dyspnea occurs with status asthmaticus. Cats are air-starved, and present with frantic, open-
mouth breathing, increased expiratory effort, and with possible wheezing and coughing.

● Laryngeal edema (p 64)
Laryngeal edema may follow a hypersensitivity reaction. Inspiratory dyspnea, stridor and stertor
are common signs.
● Acute systemic anaphylaxis (p 68)
Clinical signs include acute dyspnea, collapse, pale mucus membranes and other signs of hypoten-
sive shock. There may be a history of exposure to a foreign antigen, usually protein. Anaphylaxis
may occur on the first exposure to the inciting antigen.

Idiopathic:
● Pulmonary fibrosis (p 69)
Pulmonary fibrosis causes both inspiratory and expiratory dyspnea. It is a very rare condition and
may be associated with feline asthma/bronchitis complex. A syndrome consistent with usual inter-
stitial pneumonia in human beings has been reported in cats.

● Fibrosing pleuritis (p 70)
Restrictive fibrosing pleuritis cause both inspiratory and expiratory dyspnea. It is a rare sequel of
pyothorax and other chronic pleural effusions, especially chylothorax. Heart and lung sounds are
muffled ventrally.
Trauma:

● Upper airway/chest wall trauma***
Character of the dyspnea corresponds to the area of injury. Marked inspiratory dyspnea, stridor and
subcutaneous emphysema may be evident with laryngeal or trachea trauma. Chest wall trauma
may result in dyspnea, cyanosis, abnormal or decreased lung sounds and evidence of shock.