Vetdle Archive Case #118: Feline Hyperaldosteronism

Clinical Clues

An older cat is examined for progressive weakness and unusual posture.
The owner also reports episodes of visual disturbance and increased drinking.
On examination the neck is ventroflexed and systemic blood pressure is high.
Bloodwork reveals marked hypokalaemia.
Imaging identifies an adrenal mass.
Feline hyperaldosteronism causes excess aldosterone, hypertension, and potassium depletion.

Diagnosis

Feline Hyperaldosteronism

This case is most consistent with Feline Hyperaldosteronism because the cat has hypertension, hypokalaemia, cervical ventroflexion, and an adrenal lesion. The most important clues are the potassium depletion and blood pressure changes, which make a primary neurologic disease less likely.

Learning review

Review the case evidence

Use the paired clues to explain how the evidence in this cat case supports the provided diagnosis, Feline Hyperaldosteronism, then compare your reasoning with the case explanation.

Evidence checkpoints

Clues 1-2

Clue 1: An older cat is examined for progressive weakness and unusual posture.
Clue 2: The owner also reports episodes of visual disturbance and increased drinking.

Clues 3-4

Clue 3: On examination the neck is ventroflexed and systemic blood pressure is high.
Clue 4: Bloodwork reveals marked hypokalaemia.

Clues 5-6

Clue 5: Imaging identifies an adrenal mass.
Clue 6: Feline hyperaldosteronism causes excess aldosterone, hypertension, and potassium depletion.

Self-review prompts

After clues 1-2, what evidence from this cat case shaped your initial interpretation?
When you compare clues 3-4 with clues 1-2, what changed in your reasoning about Feline Hyperaldosteronism?
How do clues 5-6 align with the case explanation for Feline Hyperaldosteronism?

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.