Suspected Primary Spontaneous Asymptomatic Pneumothorax in a Cat

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Respiratory Medicine
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Spontaneous pneumothorax (SPT) is a respiratory emergency classified as primary or secondary.
• Feline SPT cases in literature typically present with clinical signs and underlying pathology.
• Primary SPT without clinical signs or pathology has not been previously reported in cats.

Observation:

• A 10-year-old domestic longhair cat presented with lethargy and severe azotemia requiring a subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) system.
• Thoracic radiographs revealed pneumothorax and atelectasis, while CT identified pulmonary bullae.
• Crucially, the cat exhibited no respiratory clinical signs despite the presence of pneumothorax.

Findings:

• The cat was diagnosed with a suspected primary spontaneous pneumothorax.
• Pulmonary bullae were identified as potential predisposing factors, though no overt pulmonary pathology was evident.
• Medical management for SPT was successful, and the cat remained clinically stable for nine months post-procedure.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of spontaneous pneumothorax in cats.
• It suggests that primary SPT can occur in cats without concurrent respiratory clinical signs or significant underlying lung disease.
• This finding may influence diagnostic approaches and treatment considerations for feline pneumothorax.