Pleural Effusion Cat

Question 1

If you hear muffled heart sounds, there can be _____ ml/kg of pleural effusion causing dyspnea

Answer 1

20-60

Question 2

• On an average, only ___% survival rate over short and long run as per studies

Answer 2

50

Question 3

4 main causes of PLEURAL EFFUSION?

Answer 3

• CHF 30% cases
• Cancer 30% cases
• Pyothorax 10% cases
• FIP 10% cases

Other less common cause is Chylothorax

Question 4

2 most common causes of dyspnea in cats?

Answer 4

CHF
Asthma

Question 5

How to run NT ProBNP on pleural fluid?

Answer 5

Can run it on plasma or the pleural fluid. Diluting pleural effusion 1:1 with NS 0.9% can increase specificity when using an NT-proBNP in-house test in cats.

Question 6

In a general practice, you might not be able to definitively diagnose underlying cause with just XRAY and fluid analysis.

T/F

Answer 6

Pet might need further diagnostics such as general ultrasound, cardiac ultrasound and other testings(thoracoscopy, MRI/CT Scan,biopsy of masses, histopathology) to definitvely know the causes including the two main causes i.e. heart failure and cancer.

Question 7

T/F

Consider referral for indwelling catheter in cases of continuous fluid production

Answer 7

T

Question 8

T/F

Consider referral for chronic cases as they may need intrathoracic drains etc.

Answer 8

T

Question 9

cats tolerate thoracocentesis well and mostly we donot need to give sedation

T/F

Answer 9

T

Question 10

Which needle to use for thoracocentesis?

Answer 10

21 g

1 inch needle for obese cat
Otherwise, 3/8th inch butterfly catheter

Question 11

Which ICS for thoracocentesis?

Answer 11

7-10 th ICS

Avoid 3-6 th ICS

Question 12

MST for pets with CHF?

Answer 12

~1-2 years

Question 13

Which sedatives to use if needed for thoracocentesis?

Answer 13

Butorphanol and midazolam can be used

Dose is BW in kgs/50

Upto 2X butorphanol
Upto 3X midazolam