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Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION
A 5-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of an acute onset of dyspnea and open-mouthed breathing.
CLINICAL FINDINGS
Thoracic radiography revealed pleural effusion and signs consistent with restrictive pleuritis, and results of preoperative CT were consistent with diffuse, severe restrictive pleuritis, bilateral pleural effusion, and pulmonary atelectasis. Thoracocentesis yielded a red, turbid fluid that was identified as chylous effusion with chronic inflammation.
TREATMENT AND OUTCOME
Exploratory thoracotomy revealed diffuse, severe fibrous adhesions between the mediastinum, heart, lung lobes, and thoracic wall, with a thick fibrous capsule enveloping all lung lobes. Surgical treatment consisted of complete pleural decortication, pericardiectomy, and thoracic omentalization. The cat remained hospitalized for 6 days, receiving oxygen supplementation, multimodal analgesia, and supportive care. Long-term home care consisted of prednisolone administration, rutin supplementation, and provision of a low-fat diet. At recheck examinations 3-, 7-, and 20-weeks postoperatively, the cat remained tachypneic, but was otherwise clinically normal without dyspnea or respiratory distress. Follow-up thoracic radiography revealed improved pulmonary expansion, decreased pleural effusion, and resolved pneumothorax.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Surgical management of fibrosing pleuritis secondary to idiopathic chylothorax in cats has historically resulted in poor outcomes. This report details the first successful use of complete decortication in the surgical management of severe fibrosing pleuritis in a cat.
A 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare was examined at our university veterinary teaching hospital in March because of a suspected uterine prolapse of 24-hours' duration. The mare had been bred the preceding April and was confirmed pregnant on the basis of results of transrectal palpation and ultrasonography 15 days after ovulation. No other pregnancy evaluations were performed, and there was no history of an abortion or parturition.
Initial examination at the time of admission revealed that the mare was bright, alert, and responsive. Although the rectal temperature was slightly increased (38.5°C [101.3°F]), results for the remainder of the vital indices
