Perspectives in veterinary medicine: Description and classification of bronchiolar disorders in cats

Reinero, Carol R.; Masseau, Isabelle; Grobman, Megan; Vientos-Plotts, Aida; Williams, Kurt

A 17-year-old MC DSH cat was presented for chronic coughing and wheezing and chronic kidney disease. On physical examination, a body condition score of 3/9, grade II/VI parasternal systolic heart murmur, expiratory wheezes, and irregularly shaped kidneys were identified. Thoracic radiographs disclosed a severe diffuse bronchial pattern with subtle hyperinflation. Heartworm antibody and antigen testing was negative. There was no response to fenbendazole. Thoracic CT identified bronchial wall thickening and thickened bronchovascular bundles, bronchiolectasis, undulated pleural margins, right middle and accessory lung lobe atelectasis, and a tree-in-bud pattern In humans, inhalational exposures may lead to hypersensitivity pneumonitis or pneumoconiosis; cigarette smoke is associated with respiratory bronchiolitis-ILD and desquamative interstitial pneumonia.