Congestive Heart Failure & Diabetes in a Cat

STILTON, A 9-YEAR-OLD, OVERWEIGHT DOMESTIC LONG-HAIRED CAT, is hospitalized for pulmonary edema resulting from congestive heart failure (CHF) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Previous treatment included daily oral the- ophylline and monthly methylprednisolone acetate injections for suspected asthma, which may have potentiated the recent onset of CHF and DM. Stilton has had PU/PD for several weeks and vomited once the previous day. Initial examination revealed increased respiratory rate and effort, 180-bpm heart rate with intermittent gallop rhythm, and 1-lb weight loss as compared with 2 months earlier. Chemistry panel confirmed DM (glucose, 535 mg/dL) and identified hypokalemia (potassium, 3.0 mmol/L) but was otherwise unre- markable. CBC was normal. Urinalysis obtained by cystocentesis found 4+ glucose, with WBCs TNTC and occasional bacilli.

CHF = congestive heart failure, DM = diabetes mellitus