Causes and consequences of feline haemothorax: A retrospective case series.

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to describe the causes of haemothorax in cats, patient presentation and outcome.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study based in a university teaching hospital. The electronic case records of cats presenting with a haemothorax between January 2005 and January 2023 were searched. Cases were categorised into 'trauma', 'neoplasia', 'coagulopathy' or 'other'. Signalment, physical examination, clinical pathology findings, concurrent injuries and diagnostic imaging findings were recorded. The median hospitalisation time was calculated, and survival to discharge was noted.

RESULTS

Twenty-five cats were eligible for inclusion. Twenty cases of haemothorax were traumatic in origin, two were neoplastic, two were 'other' and one was coagulopathic. Increased respiratory rate (n = 22) and effort (n = 20) were common, and most patients were anaemic at presentation (n = 16). Common concurrent injuries included pulmonary contusions (n = 15) and pneumothorax (n = 11). The median hospitalisation time for the trauma cats was 5 days (range 1‒15). Overall, 83.3% of the cases survived to discharge.

LIMITATIONS: The limitations of this study are related to its retrospective nature and the relatively small number of cats in the study population.

CONCLUSION

Haemothorax requiring a thoracocentesis in cats is rare, with trauma being the most likely cause. These patients tend to have concurrent injuries and require ongoing hospitalisation. Owners can be advised that the short-term outcome is generally favourable.