DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY THROMBOEMBOLISM IN A CAT USING ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY AND PULMONARY SCINTIGRAPHY

A 10-year-old male cat was presented with sudden onset of respiratory difficulties. Clinical examination revealed an acute dyspnoea with cya nosis associated with a left systolic heart murmur. Standard thoracic radiographs excluded pulmonary oedema and showed very few pulmonary ch anges given the intensity of the respiratory compromise. Echocardiogra phic examination revealed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a thrombus i n the right pulmonary artery. Pulmonary scintigraphy confirmed a pulmo nary thromboembolism with hypovascularisation of the left cranial lobe and of the ventral segment of the right lobe. Conservative treatment was instituted using an antibiotic (doxycycline), anticoagulants (hepa rin, coumadine) and a calcium inhibitor (diltiazem). The cat was given absolute rest. The general condition of the animal improved.