Pleural effusion is the abnormal accumulation of fluid within the chest cavity, which is lined by a membrane -- the pleural lining. This occurs in cats either because too little fluid is being absorbed in the pleural cavity, or because too much fluid is being produced in the pleural cavity. Alterations in the cat's blood pressure and protein content in the blood, or the penetrability of blood vessels and lymphatic function, may contribute to fluid accumulation.
The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical exam, with a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, a urinalysis and an electrolyte panel. The bloodwork analysis is the primary diagnostic tool for finding the underlying cause for the pleural effusion.
You will need to give a thorough history of your cat's health, including a background history of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have predated this condition. The history you provide will give your veterinarian clues as to which organs may be involved in the fluid buildup.
A sample of pleural fluid obtained by piercing the cat's chest cavity with a needle will be sent to the laboratory for analysis. The type of pleural fluid withdrawn will enable your veterinarian to diagnose the cause of the pleural effusion. X-ray and ultrasound imaging of the chest cavity are also very helpful in analyzing the causative factors.
Primary treatment will be to relieve respiratory distress by drawing fluid out of the chest cavity with a needle. The treatment that will follow depends on the definitive cause your veterinarian is able to diagnose. Insertion of indwelling chest tubes, thoracic (chest) surgery, and pleuroperitoneal shunts (diversion of pleural fluids) are common treatments. A pleuroperitoneal shunt is when the veterinarian places a catheter in the chest cavity to transfer its fluid to the abdominal cavity.
Your veterinarian will schedule follow-up appointments with you as needed to treat your cat’s underlying disease, if one is present. The prognosis is usually guarded to poor, although some cats will have a complete recovery of health.
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