Distress respiratorio agudo como signo de Mycoplasma haemofelis en felinos

Abstract

The final degree project designed for the veterinary medicine degree entitled “Acute Respiratory Distress as a Sign of Mycoplasma Haemofelis in a Feline Patient” is presented below. The main objective of this study is to deepen the understanding of how Mycoplasma Haemofelis can affect respiratory diseases in felines and to consider this pathology at the time of diagnosis. For this reason, I begin by analyzing what respiratory difficulty or dyspnea is, how it is classified, how it can be identified in the clinic, the difference with respiratory distress, its causes and its physiopathogenesis. Then, there is an examination of the correct gas exchange and the disorders that may occur. For instance, hypoxia due to a decrease in red blood cells (anemia), being the pathophysiological mechanism by which Mycoplasma Haemofelis produces signs that imitate diseases settled in the respiratory system that manifests as acute respiratory distress. In order to illustrate this, the clinical case of a four-year-old male feline is presented. The patient arrived at the clinic with signs of acute respiratory distress and, through complementary tests, was diagnosed with Mycoplasma Haemofelis. The feline was treated and the results showed an improvement as regards its health. In sum, the importance of this study is to demonstrate its implications in veterinary clinical practice since the lack of recognition of Mycoplasma Haemofelis as a respiratory disease mimic agent can lead to misleading diagnoses, ineffective treatments and an important increase in morbidity and mortality with respect to the affected felines.