Hi. I am doing a case study and need some help with it. Here is the case:
A neutered tomcat has been ill for several days and had become progressively
worse, showing increasing cough, labored breathing, and failure to eat.
Consequently, its owner brought it to the clinic. In addition to
the foregoing symptoms of cough, dyspnea, and inappetence, clinical signs
detected by the vet included an elevated temp. of 103.9 and a bilateral
mucopurulent nasal discharge. Auscultation revealed medium crackles lung
sounds. Laboratory test results included a CBC in which the differential
count showed and elevated WBC count with a moderate left shift. The
urinalysis was normal. A fecal examination was negative. A gram stain of
lung aspirate revealed gram negative rods. These bacteria grew well as mucoid
colonies on MacConkey agar. They were lactose-positive, oxidase-negative, and
non-motile.
I have a few questions.
1. What is MacConkey agar? Does it matter?
2. What are the possible etiologic agents? Why?
3. What etiologic agents can be ruled out?
4. What precautions should be undertaken before doing antimicrobial therapy?
I would appreciate ANY help you can give me regarding this assignment. Send
responses to amthomps at zebu.cvm.msu.edu
Thank you!!
