Canine and feline pleural disease

Diseases of the pleural space are relatively common disorders in small animal clinical practice. The abnormal presence of air, fluid, or tissue within the pleural cavity does not generally reflect disease of the pleura per se; instead, it represents a disorder of the airways or lung parenchyma or the development of a primary systemic illness. This article discusses common causes of the most frequently seen pleural space disorders and outlines general treatment plans that can be used as guidelines when treating actual clinical cases.