PYOTHORAX
What is pyothorax?
Pyothorax refers to the presence of inflammatory fluid (pus) within the chest
cavity.
What causes pyothorax?
Pyothorax is usually caused by a bacterial infection in the chest cavity.
Usually, pus is present in both sides of the chest although occasionally only
one side will be affected.
The source of the infection is rarely found although possible causes include:
1. Penetrating wounds to the chest wall.
2. Wounds to internal structures such as the esophagus (food pipe) or
trachea (windpipe) especially following ingestion or inhalation of a foreign
body.
3. Migrating foreign body such as a grass seed that entered the body
elsewhere.
4. Extension of infection from a lung infection (pneumonia).
What are the clinical signs seen with pyothorax?
Rapid shallow breathing that may be painful, depression, lethargy and other
signs of ill health such as reluctance to eat are seen in most cats with
pyothorax. The severity of these signs is extremely variable and cats may
suddenly die without having had any previous signs of illness.
Cats with pyothorax usually have a high temperature that contributes to
some of the clinical signs seen. The breathlessness is caused by the
presence of fluid in the chest that prevents the normal expansion of the
lungs.
How is pyothorax diagnosed?
Clinical examination by a veterinarian may provide some indication of fluid
within the chest particularly on listening to the chest with a stethoscope. In
severe cases, it may be necessary to drain the chest immediately. In more
mildly affected cases, x-rays may help to demonstrate the presence of fluid
in the chest. Sedation of the cat may be required to allow drainage of the
chest. In most cases the pus can be drained from one side of the chest
although it may be necessary to drain both sides in some cats. Sometimes,
the fluid is present in "pockets" and multiple drainage must be performed.
Samples of the fluid may be sent to a laboratory for bacterial culture so that
the organism responsible can be found and an appropriate antibiotic given.
In cases of pyothorax where no obvious cause is determined, it is
recommended that the cat be tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline
Immunodeficiency Virus.
How is pyothorax treated?
Drainage of the infected fluid plays an important part in the treatment of this
condition. Drainage may be needed on multiple occasions over the initial
treatment period. In some cases, a permanent chest drain may be inserted
surgically allowing drainage of the chest and administration of antibiotics into
the chest cavity. Fluids can also be administered via the tube to "lavage" or
flush out the chest. This tube may be left in place for several days to allow
these procedures to be performed. Treatment with oral antibiotics is also
essential and the cat may need to stay on these for several weeks. In very
sick cats, supportive treatment with intravenous fluids may also be needed in
the initial stages.
What is the long-term outlook for a cat with pyothorax?
This depends on the cause of the disease. In those cases where no
underlying disease is found, the outlook is frequently very good provided
that the cat survives the critical initial stages. Unfortunately, a proportion of
cats will die in the early stages of their disease. In those cats that do survive,
complications are rare and the long-term outlook is good.
What is pyothorax?
Pyothorax refers to the presence of inflammatory fluid (pus) within the chest
cavity.
What causes pyothorax?
Pyothorax is usually caused by a bacterial infection in the chest cavity.
Usually, pus is present in both sides of the chest although occasionally only
one side will be affected.
The source of the infection is rarely found although possible causes include:
1. Penetrating wounds to the chest wall.
2. Wounds to internal structures such as the esophagus (food pipe) or
trachea (windpipe) especially following ingestion or inhalation of a foreign
body.
3. Migrating foreign body such as a grass seed that entered the body
elsewhere.
4. Extension of infection from a lung infection (pneumonia).
What are the clinical signs seen with pyothorax?
Rapid shallow breathing that may be painful, depression, lethargy and other
signs of ill health such as reluctance to eat are seen in most cats with
pyothorax. The severity of these signs is extremely variable and cats may
suddenly die without having had any previous signs of illness.
Cats with pyothorax usually have a high temperature that contributes to
some of the clinical signs seen. The breathlessness is caused by the
presence of fluid in the chest that prevents the normal expansion of the
lungs.
How is pyothorax diagnosed?
Clinical examination by a veterinarian may provide some indication of fluid
within the chest particularly on listening to the chest with a stethoscope. In
severe cases, it may be necessary to drain the chest immediately. In more
mildly affected cases, x-rays may help to demonstrate the presence of fluid
in the chest. Sedation of the cat may be required to allow drainage of the
chest. In most cases the pus can be drained from one side of the chest
although it may be necessary to drain both sides in some cats. Sometimes,
the fluid is present in "pockets" and multiple drainage must be performed.
Samples of the fluid may be sent to a laboratory for bacterial culture so that
the organism responsible can be found and an appropriate antibiotic given.
In cases of pyothorax where no obvious cause is determined, it is
recommended that the cat be tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline
Immunodeficiency Virus.
How is pyothorax treated?
Drainage of the infected fluid plays an important part in the treatment of this
condition. Drainage may be needed on multiple occasions over the initial
treatment period. In some cases, a permanent chest drain may be inserted
surgically allowing drainage of the chest and administration of antibiotics into
the chest cavity. Fluids can also be administered via the tube to "lavage" or
flush out the chest. This tube may be left in place for several days to allow
these procedures to be performed. Treatment with oral antibiotics is also
essential and the cat may need to stay on these for several weeks. In very
sick cats, supportive treatment with intravenous fluids may also be needed in
the initial stages.
What is the long-term outlook for a cat with pyothorax?
This depends on the cause of the disease. In those cases where no
underlying disease is found, the outlook is frequently very good provided
that the cat survives the critical initial stages. Unfortunately, a proportion of
cats will die in the early stages of their disease. In those cats that do survive,
complications are rare and the long-term outlook is good.
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Animal Hospital of Fate 1001 North W.E.Crawford (Highway 66 in Fate) Rockwall, Texas 75087 972-722-0066 |
| (Highway 66 in Fate) |