Archive Case #59: Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Clinical Clues

1. A middle-aged cat is brought in for laboured breathing and sudden exercise intolerance.
2. The owner says the cat has been hiding more and breathing faster at rest.
3. On examination the respiratory rate is high and the cat is stressed by minimal handling.
4. Thoracic imaging identifies cardiomegaly with pulmonary oedema.
5. Echocardiography shows concentric thickening of the left ventricular wall and left atrial enlargement.
6. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a common primary myocardial disease of cats and can lead to diastolic dysfunction and congestive heart failure.

Diagnosis

Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

This case is most consistent with Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy because the cat has structural left ventricular hypertrophy with secondary signs of congestive heart failure. The most important clues are the echocardiographic findings and pulmonary oedema, which separate this presentation from primary airway disease.

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.