Pleurite fibrosante severa secundária a quilotórax crônico em gato doméstico : relato de caso

Abstract

Fibrosing pleuritis is a serious respiratory complication associated with chronic inflammatory processes of the pleura, which leads to pleural thickening, atelectasis or pulmonary entrapment, and an unfavorable prognosis. In animals, it is rare and is mainly caused by chylothorax, an effusion that is particularly irritating to the thoracic cavity. Chylous pleural effusions may occur secondary to disease or be idiopathic. This report describes the clinical presentation, laboratory, imaging and histopathological findings of a case of severe fibrosing pleuritis secondary to chronic chylothorax in a domestic cat. A three-year-old female mixed-breed cat was treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Mato Grosso, complaining of tachypnea, dyspnea, appetite loss, lethargy and nausea. Imaging findings revealed marked bilateral pleural effusion, atelectasis or lung collapse, and the drained fluid was classified as modified chylous transudate. The cat presented recurrence and unfavorable progression of the condition over a period of 34 months and died. At necropsy, severe fibrosing pleuritis, reduced lung volume and pulmonary fibrosis were evidenced. Due to the poor prognosis, it is essential to identify the underlying disease early in order to intervene and prevent the development of pleural fibrosis.