Characterization of and factors associated with causes of pleural effusion in cats

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To characterize and investigate potential associations between causes of pleural effusion and various clinical factors in a large cohort of affected cats. DESIGN Retrospective case series with nested cross-sectional study. ANIMALS 380 client-owned cats with a diagnosis of pleural effusion from January 1, 2009, through July 14, 2014, for which the cause of pleural effusion had been fully investigated. PROCEDURES Electronic medical records were reviewed and data collected regarding cat characteristics, clinical signs, cause of pleural effusion, treatment, and survival status at discharge from the hospital. Variables were examined for associations with causes of pleural effusion. RESULTS 87 (22.9%) cats died or were euthanized before discharge from the hospital. Congestive heart failure (CHF) was the most common cause (155 [40.8%]) of pleural effusion, followed by neoplasia (98 [25.8%]). Other causes included pyothorax, idiopathic chylothorax, trauma, feline infectious peritonitis, and nontraumatic diaphragmatic hernia. Cats with trauma or feline infectious peritonitis were significantly younger than those with CHF or neoplasia. Cats with lymphoma were significantly younger than those with carcinoma. Cats with CHF had a significantly lower rectal temperature at hospital admission (mean ± SD, 36.9 ± 1.2°C [98.4 ± 2.2°F]) than did cats with pleural effusion from other causes (37.9 ± 1.2°C [100.2 ± 2.2°F]). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Cats with pleural effusion in this study had a poor prognosis; CHF and neoplasia were common causes. Age and hypothermia may be helpful to raise the index of suspicion for certain underlying causes of pleural effusion in cats.

Evaluation of intracavitary carboplatin chemotherapy for treatment of pleural carcinomatosis in cats: a retrospective study of eight cases

“…Pleural effusion is frequently encountered in veterinary medicine and can be challenging to manage, depending on the underlying cause. In cats, pleural effusion secondary to neoplasia is a common finding, representing nearly 26% of all pleural effusions, 1 similar to its human counterpart (15–35%). 2 Lymphoma and thymoma are among the most typical tumours associated with pleural effusion in cats.…”

Usefulness of Chest Ultrasonography in Predicting Diagnosis in Non-emergency Small Animal Patients With Lung Parenchymal and Pleural Disease

“…Pleural effusion in cats was commonly reported to be associated with neoplasia, and its presence usually indicates guarded prognosis and short survival (29)(30)(31)(32). It is worth evaluating the sonographic appearance of pleural effusion for predicting neoplastic etiology.…”

Updates on Laboratory Evaluation of Feline Cardiac Diseases

“…This data is confirmed by a recent study where CHF was the most common cause of pleural effusion, followed by neoplasia. Interestingly, patients in which effusion derived from CHF or neoplasia were significantly older than those with trauma or feline infectious peritonitis [64]. Cardiogenic chylothorax was described in some case reports associated with right-sided heart failure (derived from restrictive pericardial disease, heart-base chemodectoma, tetralogy of Fallot and tricuspid regurgitation, endocardial cushion defect and tricuspid dysplasia) and thrombosis of the cranial vena cava [65,66].…”