Pleural effusion is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in a cat's chest cavity between the lungs and the lining of the chest (pleura).
Fluid builds up in the chest either when there is too much of it being produced or when not enough is absorbed or drained by the body. The primary conditions that lead to pleural effusion in cats include:
When a cat is suffering from pleural effusion, the liquid present in the chest cavity prevents the lungs from fully inflating. A cat with this condition might show some or all of the following signs:
A veterinarian will take a thorough history of signs from a cat's owner when diagnosing pleural effusion. Then he or she will do a complete physical exam. The doctor might hear crackles or wheezing in the chest when listening with a stethoscope or be unable to hear the heart well.
An x-ray is helpful in diagnosing pleural effusion because the abnormal fluid can be seen in the chest cavity. A thoracic (chest) ultrasound can also help.
Once fluid is identified in the chest cavity, the cause must be determined. Testing that can help with diagnosis includes blood work, urinalysis, x-ray, ultrasound, and evaluation of fluid collected from the chest with a needle.
The first order of treatment for a cat with pleural effusion is to help ease the breathing by removing some liquid. This can be done through a needle with a chest tap. After that, treatment is individualized depending on the cause and may include:
All causes of pleural effusion in cats are serious, and many carry a guarded to poor long-term prognosis.
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