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 cyanosis associated with a left systolic heart murmur. Standard thoracic radiographs excluded pulmonary oedema and showed very few pulmonary changes given the intensity of the respiratory compromise. Echocardiographic examination revealed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a thrombus in the right pulmonary artery. Pulmonary scintigraphy confirmed a pulmonary 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 (heparin, coumadine) and a calcium inhibitor (diltiazem). The cat was given absolute rest. The general condition of the animal improved.