Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Kitten with severe anemia developed enlarged heart and lung fluid
By Yaphé, W et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1993·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Severe cardiomegaly secondary to anemia in a kitten.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 6-week-old kitten was brought to the vet in very poor condition, suffering from severe anemia due to a heavy flea infestation and iron deficiency. The kitten showed signs of heart failure, including rapid breathing and a heart murmur. The vet treated the kitten with blood transfusions, flea removal, and nutritional support. After adding a diuretic medication called furosemide, the kitten's breathing improved, and the fluid in the lungs cleared up. A month later, the kitten was doing much better, with only mild heart enlargement remaining and the anemia resolved.
People also search for: kitten anemia treatment · flea infestation in kittens · heart problems in young cats
Abstract
Severe anemia in a weanling kitten resulted in volume overload hypertrophy of the heart and signs of congestive heart failure. A 6-week-old moribund kitten was admitted to the hospital with a PCV of 3%. The anemia was determined to have resulted from severe flea infestation and iron deficiency. Supportive therapy consisted of flea removal, blood transfusions, and oral nutritional support. On day 3 of hospitalization, the kitten had signs of depression and became tachypneic. Auscultation revealed a systolic murmur, gallop rhythm, and crackles over the ventral lung fields. Thoracic radiography revealed pulmonary edema and massive cardiomegaly. Echocardiographic evaluation revealed dilatation of all cardiac chambers. The addition of furosemide to the kitten's treatment protocol resulted in resolution of the pulmonary edema. On follow-up examination 1 month later, the kitten had mild residual cardiomegaly and the anemia had resolved. Anemia is a well-known sequela to severe flea infestation in young animals. A less commonly reported, but potentially life-threatening, sequela to anemia may include the development of volume overload hypertrophy of the heart and congestive heart failure.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8468224/