It is a busy Monday morning on clinics, and next on your list is a senior cat who is 'not jumping properly'...
Join us as we work through this case and use it to test your feline knowledge!
Grab a pen and paper, and jot down your answers as you go - actively engaging your brain for this case study will aid your learning.
An 11-year-old FS DSH presents with a one-week history of intermittent general weakness and inability to jump onto elevated surfaces. She has also been drinking and urinating a bit more recently. She is an indoor cat and up to date with preventive healthcare.
On physical examination, she is quiet but alert and responsive. Her mucous membranes are pink and capillary refill time is 1.5 seconds. Her heart rate is 164 bpm and respiration rate is 32 breaths/minute. She weighs 4.9kg with a body condition score of 5/9. Her temperature is 38.4°C. Orthopedic examination is unremarkable. Systolic blood pressure (Doppler) is 185mmHg on several readings.
Let's start by reading the history thoroughly, and making a problem list, then making a list of differential diagnoses for each of those problems.
Are there any you think are more or less likely, with the information you have available?
To narrow down your differential diagnosis list, we'll need to do some tests. What would you like to do next?
Well done! You have a likely diagnosis, but the case doesn't stop there. Think about what you know about this condition, and what your next steps will be.
With a definitive diagnosis, it's time to think about treating your patient...
For more information about the diagnosis, click the button below.
We hope you enjoyed this feline medicine case.
Don’t forget to log reading this article this as CE and reflect on what you've learned!