Archive Case #24: Feline Asthma

Clinical Clues

1. A 7-year-old cat is presented for recurrent episodes of coughing and increased respiratory effort.
2. The owner says the episodes seem to come and go, but have become more frequent over the past month.
3. On examination the cat has an expiratory wheeze.
4. Thoracic radiographs show a bronchial lung pattern with evidence of hyperinflation.
5. No signs of heart failure are seen on imaging.
6. Chronic inflammatory narrowing of the lower airways commonly causes episodic coughing and expiratory distress in cats.

Diagnosis

Feline Asthma

This case is most consistent with Feline Asthma because the cat has recurrent coughing, expiratory wheeze, and a bronchial pattern with hyperinflation on thoracic imaging. The most important clues are the episodic lower airway signs and radiographic changes, which make cardiac and infectious causes less likely.

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.