Treatment of feline pyothorax: A report of two spontaneous cases

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Published: Jan 31, 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.15696
A. F. KOUTINAS (Α.Φ. ΚΟΥΤΙΝΑΣ)
Clinic of Companion Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, A. U. Τ
N. N. PRASSINOS (Ν.Ν. ΠΡΑΣΙΝΟΣ)
Clinic of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, A. U. Τ
K. K. ADAMAMA-MORAITOU (Κ.Κ. ΑΔΑΜΑΜΑ-ΜΩΡΑΪΤΟΥ)
Clinic of Companion Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, A. U. Τ
M. G. KRITSEPI (Μ.Γ. ΚΡΙΤΣΕΠΗ)
Abstract

Two cases of feline pyothorax, presented in severe respiratory distress, were treated successfully by applying intermittent drainage and daily lavage of the pleural space with warm normal saline. Before that an indwelling thoracostomy tube had been fixed on the thoracic wall and left in place from 5 to 10 days. The only complication noticed was a symptomatic pneumothorax due to either tube malpositioning or damage to the tube wall. In both instances, the inspiratory dyspnea decreased or disappeared as soon as the tube was removed. Systemic and long term (6-9 weeks) treatment with antibiotics, combined with supportive measures and good nursing care, had a positive effect to the successful outcome in both cases.

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  • Case Report
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