Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Radiography and ultrasonography of pneumatosis intestinalis in a cat.
- Journal:
- Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
- Year:
- 2020
- Authors:
- Walczak, Raelyn et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Radiology
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
An adult cat was brought to the vet because it was vomiting and seemed very weak. X-rays showed air trapped in the walls of the small intestine and gas patterns in the liver, which indicated a serious condition called pneumatosis intestinalis (air in the intestines). An ultrasound the next day suggested gas in the intestinal wall but did not show gas in the liver's blood vessels. Unfortunately, the cat's condition worsened, and the owners chose to have it humanely euthanized. A post-mortem examination found severe damage to the intestines caused by a toxin from Clostridium difficile, a type of bacteria.
Abstract
An adult cat was presented for acute history of vomiting and collapse. Radiographs showed the presence of air within small intestinal walls and arborizing gas patterns within the liver, compatible with pneumatosis intestinalis and presumed portal venous gas, respectively. An abdominal ultrasound the following day was suggestive of gas within the intestinal wall, however, gas within the hepatic vasculature, parenchyma, or biliary tree was not evident. Due to progressive clinical deterioration of the patient, the owners elected humane euthanasia. Necropsy revealed severe necrotizing hemorrhagic enterotyphlocolitis secondary to Clostridium difficile toxin.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29797615/