Clinical Case 1

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Case 1 - Courtesy of A. Antonczyk

Signalment

"Shakespeare", a 16 year old domestic short hair cat is brought to the practice for examination.

History

The owner is concerned that Shakespeare has lost weight over the past few weeks. Shakespeare has always been a fussy eater, but recently the owner has noticed that he is asking for food constantly. He has also started to raid the kitchen bin.

The owner is not sure how much Shakespeare drinks, as he usually drinks from the fish pond in the garden.

Clinical Examination

On clinical examination, the vet finds the following:

• Shakespeare is thin

• There is a moderate amount of tartar on the upper molars and canines

• The heart rate is 244, with a grade 2/6 murmur

• Shakespeare's temperature is 38.4°C

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• Is Shakespeare's temperature normal?
  • Yes

• What is the normal heart rate for a cat? Is Shakespeare's heart rate high?
  • 140-200 beats per minute in the examination room. Most cats in the exam room are stressed to some extent. Their heart rate is probably much lower at home. Very frightened cats may have a heart rate slightly above 200, but Shakespeare is tachycardic.

• What does 'grade 2/6 heart murmur' mean?
  • Heart murmurs are graded according to their intensity. A grade 2/6 murmur is one that is readily audible, but is quieter than the heart sounds.

• What else might you find on clinical exam that will help you with your diagnosis?
  • Shakespeare's history and clinical exam is typical of a cat with hyperthyroidism. Most hyperthyroid cats will have a palpatable goitre. The location of the thyroid gland is variable. Therefore, make sure to slide your fingers alongside the entire trachea, or you may miss it. Shakespeare did have a palpatable goitre.

• What would you do now?
• Click here to see what the vet did.