Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with infectious heart valve disease and chylothorax fluid buildup
By Dixon-Jimenez, Amy & Margiocco, Marco L·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2011·University of Georgia Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Infectious endocarditis and chylothorax in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-old domestic longhair cat was brought to the vet for weight loss, weakness, and trouble breathing. Tests showed signs of heart disease and fluid in the chest, which was identified as chyle. An ultrasound of the heart suggested a serious infection of the aortic valve, known as endocarditis, which can lead to heart failure. The cat was given antibiotics and heart medications, but unfortunately, it passed away just two days later. The cause was confirmed to be a bacterial infection affecting the heart.
People also search for: cat weight loss and weakness · cat breathing problems · cat heart infection treatment · chylothorax in cats · cat sudden death causes
Abstract
A 6 yr old domestic longhair cat was evaluated for progressive weight loss, weakness, and dyspnea. Results of a physical examination and electrocardiogram were suggestive of cardiac disease. Thoracic radiographs revealed pleural effusion, which thoracocentesis revealed was consistent with chyle. An echocardiogram was performed, and aortic valve endocarditis with secondary aortic insufficiency was presumptively diagnosed. The cat was treated with broad-spectrum oral antibiotics and palliative cardiac medications. Two days after discharge, the cat's dyspnea returned, and it died suddenly. Histopathology and culture confirmed Pseudomonas bacterial endocarditis of the aortic valve. Bacterial endocarditis in the cat has rarely been reported in the literature. This case described heart failure and chylothorax resulting from bacterial endocarditis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22058358/