Case 25 — Tachypnea

Primary clinician: Kris MacDonald, DVM & Chris Dassler, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Supervising clinician: Mark D. Kittleson, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Cardiology)

Signalment

• Species: Feline
• Breed: Domestic Medium Hair
• Age: 6 months
• Sex: Intact male
• Name: Zach

Presenting Complaint

• Accentuated breathing

Pertinent History

• The owner found Zach as a stray when he was approximately 5 weeks old. He appeared normal, except for an ocular discharge. This was treated by the local veterinarian.
• Two weeks ago, Zach presented to the referring veterinarian for vaccines. On physical exam, it was noted that Zach had slightly accentuated breathing, a mild wheeze, and mild abdominal breathing.
• Radiographs were taken.
• Since then, Zach has appeared healthy. He has a normal activity level. His appetite has been good, but may be slightly decreased lately.
• No C/S/V/D.
• He has an occasional white preputial discharge.
• He eats Purina dry and Friskie’s wet cat foods.
• He tested negative for FeLV and FIV two weeks ago. He received his first FVRCP, FELV, and Rabies vaccines at that time.
• He is an indoor kitty that goes outdoors when supervised.

Physical Examination

• QARH. T = 101.8°F; P = 192; R = 66. MM pink, CRT 1.5 sec. BCS 5/9.
• Full hair coat.
• Mild brown ocular discharge OU. Mild brown exudate AU. Nose moist with no discharge. No oral lesions noted.
• Symmetrically muscled and toned. No gait abnormalities noted.
• Displacement of apex beat to the left midthoracic wall. Heart sounds muffled on right side, and cranially and caudally on left side. No jugular distension noted. Femoral pulses good. No pulse deficits noted.
• Muffled breath sounds bilaterally.
• Difficult to palpate bowel loops in abdomen. No masses or organomegaly noted.
• Kidneys palpate smooth and uniform. Bladder moderately full. No preputial discharge noted.
• No gross neurological deficits.
• No peripheral lymphadenopathy.

Problems

• Abnormal auscultatory findings

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