Clinical Case 13

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Courtesy of C. Antonczyk

Signalment

"Rafferty", a 13 year old, male neutered domestic long hair cat is brought to the practice for examination.

History

The owner is concerned about Rafferty's breathing. Rafferty had been fine, but on coming home that day she found he was breathing faster than normal. Up to then his appetite and drinking had been normal and she has noticed nothing else that is unusual. Upon further questioning, she says that Rafferty may have been a bit quieter for a few days beforehand.

Clinical Examination

On clinical examination, the vet finds the following:

• The mucous membranes are pink with a capillary refill time of 1 second.

• The respiratory rate is 96.

• The heart rate is 240, with a regular heart rhythm.

• Rafferty's temperature is 38.5°C

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What problems can you identify?

• Rafferty is tachycardic and tachpnoeic.

What would you do now?

• Click here to see what the vet did.