Desquamative form of cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis in a cat

Bronchopulmonary disease is not uncommon in cats, many cases falling into the categories of chronic bronchitis and the "feline asthma syndrome''. We report a case of chronic bronchopulmonary disease in an adult cat, which was initially diagnosed as chronic bronchitis. Failure to respond to appropriate therapy led to euthanasia. At necropsy, the lungs exhibited multifocal areas of consolidation, especially at the periphery of the diaphragmatic lobes. Histopathological examination revealed a striking variability of lesions, with interstitial fibrosis and intra-alveolar accumulations of macrophages in addition to alveolar epithelialization and smooth muscle hyperplasia. These changes were consistent with those described for the desquamative form of cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis in human beings. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.