Reversible pulmonary hypertension secondary to bronchopneumonia in a kitten

Abstract

A five-month-old Siamese kitten was presented with acute respiratory distress. The kitten had respiratory acidosis. The result of the feline N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) test kit was abnormal. Thoracic radiography revealed patchy lung infiltration and cardiomegaly. Severe right heart enlargement and an intermediate probability of pulmonary hypertension were suggested from echocardiography. Pulmonary hypertension secondary to severe pneumonia was suspected. The kitten was treated with oxygen supplementation, antibiotics and pimobendan. The clinical signs, radiography and echocardiography returned to normal after 30 days of treatment.