Pyothorax associated with bone fragment in the lower respiratory tract of a domestic cat – case report

Abstract

Pyothorax is the accumulation of exudade in the pleural cavity. Affected patients are often presented with acute dyspnea. We report a case of pyothorax associated with the presence of a bone fragment in the lower respiratory tract of an adult domestic cat. We presume that the bone fragment reached the respiratory tract by either aspiration or migration from the abdominal cavity. The patient presented abdominal distension and acute dyspnea. Bloodwork revealed neutrophilic leukocytosis with left shift and lymphocytosis. Thoracic fluid analysis confirmed septic exudate. The patient was unresponsive to the treatment and died within 24 hours of admission. Necropsy revealed the presence of a bone fragment in the lower respiratory tract. We suggest that foreign bodies should be considered as a rule-out cause of pyothorax and sepsis in domestic cats.