Archive Case #31: Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Clinical Clues

1. A middle-aged cat is presented for sudden onset hindlimb weakness and vocalisation.
2. The owner reports the cat was normal earlier in the day before acutely collapsing.
3. On examination the hindlimbs are cold and pulses are absent distally.
4. A gallop rhythm is auscultated over the thorax.
5. Echocardiography shows concentric left ventricular hypertrophy and left atrial enlargement.
6. A common feline myocardial disease predisposes to arterial thromboembolism and acute limb ischaemia.

Diagnosis

Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

This case is most consistent with Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy because the cat has cardiac changes on echocardiography with acute arterial thromboembolism causing hindlimb ischaemia. The most important clues are the absent distal pulses, cold limbs, gallop rhythm, and hypertrophied left ventricle, which strongly support HCM with aortic thromboembolism.

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.