RADIOGRAPHIC AND 2-D ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN EIGHTEEN CATS EXPERIMENTALLY EXPOSED TO D. ZMMZTZS VIA MOSQUITO BITES |
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| Authors: | BA Selcer DVM SM Newell DVM AE Mansour MS JW Mccall PhD |
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| Institution: | Department of Anatomy and Radiology, University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA 30602.;Department of Parasitology, University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA 30602. |
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| Abstract: | Eighteen cats were exposed to Dirofikria immitis infected mosquitoes. Thoracic radiography was performed prior to exposure and at 5, 7, and 9 month intervals following exposure. Immunologic testing for adult heartworm antigen was performed on days 168,195,210,224,237,254 and 271 post infection. Necropsies were performed on all cats. Adult heartworms were found in 61% of the exposed cats. Radiographic findings in heartworm positive cats included bronchointerstitial lung disease, lobar pulmonary arterial enlargement and pulmonary hyperinflation. In most heartworm positive cats, lobar arterial enlargement resolved as the disease progressed while pulmonary hyperinflation progressively became more common. Pulmonary patterns in heartworm positive cats remained abnormal throughoutthe study while abnormal pulmonary patterns resolved in over 50% of the heartworm negative cats. Cardiomegaly was seen in less than 50% of the cats with adult heartworms at necropsy. This study suggests that the radiographic appearance of heartworm disease is variable and radiographic changes are dependent on the time post infection at which cats are evaluated. Echocardiographic examinations were randomly performed on 16 of 18 cats. Heartworms were identified in 7 cats. No false positive identifications were made. Persistent pulmonary disease accompanied by resolving vascular disease in heartworm cats with pulmonary hyperinflation may be difficult to distinguish from cats with feline allergic lung disease. Echocardiograms may be helpful in identifying adult heartworms in cats in which the radiographic signs or immunodiagnostic data are insufficient to provide a diagnosis. |
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| Keywords: | feline heartworm disease thoracic radiography in feline heartworm disease pulmonary hyperinflation thoracic radiographs in feline asthma |
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