Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with severe lung infection saved by lung membrane removal surgery
By K. Maeda et al.·Published in Bulgarian Journal of Veterinary Medicine·2025·Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Small Animal Surgery 2, Japan, BG·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Cat rescued via decortication of the lung lobe and pleura for matured pyothorax: A case report
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old cat was brought in for severe breathing problems (dyspnea) caused by a serious condition called pyothorax, where pus builds up in the chest. Initially, the cat received antibiotics and a chest tube to help drain the fluid, but the breathing issues returned. The veterinarian performed surgery to remove a fibrous membrane covering the affected lung lobe, which allowed the lung to expand better. After the surgery, the cat's breathing improved significantly, showing that surgery can be a necessary option for severe cases of pyothorax when other treatments fail.
People also search for: cat breathing problems · pyothorax treatment in cats · cat lung surgery recovery
Abstract
This report describes a cat rescued from a severe pyothorax with decortication. A 3-year-old cat was presented with severe dyspnea. Radiography revealed pyothorax and a chest tube was placed, followed by administration of antibiotics. With treatment, the dyspnea temporary improved, but the cat presented again dyspnea and a pleural effusion. The severe effusion caused respiratory distress and the cat developed life-threatening dyspnea. A median sternotomy was performed, and the entire lung lobe was found to be shrunken with fibrous membrane coverage. Decortication, a gentle peeling of the membrane from the lung lobe, significantly improved its expansion and dyspnea improved after surgery. Pyothorax is successfully treated with antibiotics and effusion drainage. However, patients who do not respond to conventional treatment should be treated aggressively with surgery, which is the last option despite the risk of aesthesia or surgery itself. Therefore, this case supports the use of surgery for severe pyothorax.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.15547/bjvm.2023-0129