Are some cats more likely to get chylothorax?
Purebred cats, especially the Siamese, may be at increased risk for chylothorax. The Himalayan is included in some reports. Male and female cats appear equally affected. What are the clinical signs? The main clinical sign of chylothorax is labored breathing. However, this finding is common to all cases of pleural effusion. Some cats appear to be holding their breath because there is a delay between inspiration and expiration. Interestingly, coughing is the first sign of chylothorax in some cats; it is not typically found with other causes of pleural effusion. This can be important because there are relatively few causes of coughing in the cat as compared to the dog. In some situations, clinical signs of the underlying disease (e.g., tumor, heart failure) may overshadow those of the pleural effusion. Occasionally, owners note no abnormalities other than depression or exercise intolerance. This is because fluid gradually accumulates in the pleural space, and the cat is able to adapt for
