To my mind, a chest tap and cytology of the fluid are the best ways to diagnose pyothorax, after the pleural effusion is diagnosed by imaging. Pleural effusion is never good news, sadly, whether it's due to neoplasia, heart disease, infection, or idiopathic. Pyothorax fluid is pretty characteristic grossly, and has always smelled very foul (like an abscess) the few times I've seen it.
@Torgo1969 thx for ur reply. is chest tap the same as percussion? that is possible for humans in listening for fluid accumulation (dullness) but is that possible in cats etc.?
i've never smelled pus haha..... is pyothorax fluid the same as abscess?
also i just read a bit about how pathophysiology of this disease. it begins with pus accumulation then a loculation of the pus (presumably epitheloid cells trying to encase the pus forming many cavities like tuberculosis?) -> lung entrapment
A chest tap is more properly called thoracocentesis, and it is putting a needle thru the skin and subcutaneous tissue, then between the ribs and into the pleural space, so that fluid can be removed for microscopic diagnosis or for relief of difficulty breathing. If there is suffficient fluid removed, the relief is almost immediate and it is very rewarding (for the short term). I had a case 2 years ago when we did this, diagnosed lymphoma, and bought time for the cat to go see the oncologist.
@Torgo1969 lung entrapment whereby the cavity appearing in the visceral pleura generates a negative pressure in the intrapleural space -> pleural fluid migrates to the affected area.....
like u said it never is good news unfrotunately... thx for replying!
Wow, how do you diagnose that there's an infection the pleural space (thus pus) in the first place? By it's breathing rate? Toxins?
Unfortunately this video is a bit too short and you don't get to see much...
Catchetat 3 years ago
To my mind, a chest tap and cytology of the fluid are the best ways to diagnose pyothorax, after the pleural effusion is diagnosed by imaging. Pleural effusion is never good news, sadly, whether it's due to neoplasia, heart disease, infection, or idiopathic. Pyothorax fluid is pretty characteristic grossly, and has always smelled very foul (like an abscess) the few times I've seen it.
Torgo1969 2 years ago
@Torgo1969 thx for ur reply. is chest tap the same as percussion? that is possible for humans in listening for fluid accumulation (dullness) but is that possible in cats etc.?
i've never smelled pus haha..... is pyothorax fluid the same as abscess?
also i just read a bit about how pathophysiology of this disease. it begins with pus accumulation then a loculation of the pus (presumably epitheloid cells trying to encase the pus forming many cavities like tuberculosis?) -> lung entrapment
Catchetat 2 years ago
A chest tap is more properly called thoracocentesis, and it is putting a needle thru the skin and subcutaneous tissue, then between the ribs and into the pleural space, so that fluid can be removed for microscopic diagnosis or for relief of difficulty breathing. If there is suffficient fluid removed, the relief is almost immediate and it is very rewarding (for the short term). I had a case 2 years ago when we did this, diagnosed lymphoma, and bought time for the cat to go see the oncologist.
Torgo1969 2 years ago
@Torgo1969 lung entrapment whereby the cavity appearing in the visceral pleura generates a negative pressure in the intrapleural space -> pleural fluid migrates to the affected area.....
like u said it never is good news unfrotunately... thx for replying!
Catchetat 2 years ago
Sick, I can't imagine having pus in my chest :(
On the other hand, can't wait to see one when I get into a clinic lol
AHTstudent 4 years ago
So, is this when the lung cavity fills with infected fluid?
CanadianMegan 4 years ago