Tracheobronchial foreign bodies in cats: a retrospective study of 12 cases

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate age, sex, breed, clinical signs, time between onset of signs and presentation, diagnostic procedures, method of extraction, location and nature of foreign bodies (FBs) in confirmed cases of tracheobronchial FBs in cats. We hypothesised that bronchoscopy was effective in extracting tracheobronchial FBs in cats. Methods A retrospective study was performed using clinical reports from three private practices in France between May 2009 and November 2014. Cats were included if an intraluminal tracheobronchial FB had been identified and extracted (either by bronchoscopy or surgery). Results Twelve cats (six male, six female) were included. Mean age was 3.75 ± 2.5 years. Coughing was the main complaint and was present in 9/12 (75%) of the cats. Thoracic radiographs were obtained in 12/12 cats (100%) and a FB was suspected in 11/12 (92%). Bronchoscopy was performed in all of the cats and enabled FB extraction in 10/12 (83%) of them. In 2/12 cats (17%), an additional surgical approach was required. In 6/12 (50%) cats, FBs were located in the trachea, while in 6/12 (50%) cats FBs were in the bronchial tree, particularly in the right caudal bronchus (4/6; 66%). Seven of 12 (58%) FBs were vegetal in nature, 3/12 (25%) were mineral and 2/12 (17%) were undetermined. All the mineral FBs were extracted from the trachea, while the majority of the vegetal ones (5/7; 71%) were found in the bronchi. Conclusions and relevance Feline respiratory FBs can be found in the trachea and in the bronchial tree, particularly in the right caudal bronchus. Vegetal FBs tend to migrate through the bronchial tree, whereas mineral ones tend to lodge in the trachea. Bronchoscopy seems to be a highly effective procedure for the extraction of tracheobronchial FBs in cats.