Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat's fluid buildup in chest cleared after removing swollen kidney
By Duffy, Maura E et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2017·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Resolution of nonurine transudative pleural effusion in a cat after removal of a hydronephrotic kidney.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old spayed female Bengal cat was brought in for breathing problems due to fluid buildup in her chest, known as pleural effusion. Tests showed that the fluid was not from urine or other common causes, and an ultrasound revealed that her right kidney was swollen and not functioning properly (hydronephrosis). The veterinarian performed surgery to remove the affected kidney, and one week later, the cat showed no signs of fluid accumulation in her chest. Over a year later, she remained healthy with no recurrence of her breathing issues.
People also search for: cat breathing problems · Bengal cat pleural effusion treatment · hydronephrosis in cats · kidney removal in cats
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION A 3-year-old spayed female Bengal cat was evaluated because of a history of bilateral pleural effusion and hydronephrosis of the right kidney. CLINICAL FINDINGS Cytologic analysis of a pleural fluid sample revealed characteristics of a pure transudate with a high percentage of lymphocytes. Results of fluid biochemical testing were not consistent with urine or chyle. Serum biochemical analysis and echocardiography yielded no evidence of hypoalbuminemia or high hydrostatic pressure secondary to cardiac disease. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed hydronephrosis of the right kidney and hydroureter of the right ureter. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Exploratory laparotomy with nephrectomy of the right kidney was performed. At the time of surgery, there was no evidence of communication between the retroperitoneal space and thoracic cavity. No other treatments were performed. No evidence of pleural fluid accumulation was detected 1 week after surgery, and no recurrence of clinical signs associated with pleural effusion was observed for > 1 year after surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Transudative, or nonchylous lymphatic, pleural effusion secondary to intra-abdominal disease, but independent of a low plasma protein concentration, is uncommon in veterinary medicine. This case emphasized that urinary tract obstruction should be considered as a differential diagnosis for cats with pleural effusion when more common disorders are not identified. Even without evidence of direct communication between the abnormal kidney or retroperitoneal space and the pleural space, removal of the hydronephrotic kidney appeared curative.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28621602/