Is it possible to cure pulmonary edema in a cat: symptoms and treatment prognosis, is it deadly? Is it possible to cure pulmonary edema in a cat.

Animals, like people, suffer from a number of diseases, the cure of which depends on the speed and quality of diagnosis. These diseases include pulmonary edema in cats. Unfortunately, in certain situations, the development of such a condition indicates near death animal, but in other cases it can still be saved.

Be that as it may, it is in our power to try to cure the pet, and in cases of severe pathology to facilitate his departure to another world.

The most important thing when detecting or even suspecting the development of pulmonary edema is to seek medical help as soon as possible. Therefore, the answer to the frequently asked question - is it possible to cure pulmonary edema in a cat at home - there can be only one: no, only an experienced veterinarian can handle this in a well-equipped modern clinic.

What is pulmonary edema

Pulmonary edema in animals is life threatening a condition in which fluid accumulates in the lungs presses on the alveoli and prevents the normal supply of oxygen to the tissues of the body. As a result, the animal suffers greatly from hypoxia - oxygen deficiency, suffocates, and suffocates, and in the end without rapid response dies.

This condition occurs not only when lung diseases and infections. The edema itself is not independent disease, this is just a symptom or rather a consequence of the development of various pathologies, each of which can provoke the occurrence of this most dangerous condition.

Like in humans, pulmonary edema in cats is a serious and very life-threatening condition, so it is possible to save a sick animal only if you contact the clinic early. Small kittens and old, obese or malnourished cats are especially susceptible to the disease. Those and others weak immunity, which may poorly resist the underlying disease.

To confirm or refute a preliminary diagnosis, most often do X-ray, but according to the symptoms, the veterinarian can prescribe a whole series necessary analyzes and surveys.

Causes of the condition in cats

Pulmonary edema in cats occurs in a variety of ways. various reasons and is not an independent disease, but a complication, for example, after sterilization or castration. The anesthesia used during the operation promotes the exudation of fluid from stagnant blood in the vessels and its accumulation in the lungs. This is accompanied by pulmonary edema, which can lead to serious consequences until the death of the four-legged patient.

Cats are quite tenacious and hardy animals. But, like all living beings, this pet is also sick. Diseases in animals, unfortunately, are also difficult. As without food, and without air, no one has yet learned to live. So the cat can have oxygen starvation, and in other words - pulmonary edema. The animal begins to suffocate, and here self-medication will not help: you need to urgently consult a doctor. Such a disease is dangerous for any organism: for a person, for an animal. The most important thing is to have time to provide timely medical assistance. In order to understand at least a little what the essence of the disease is, you need to understand what pulmonary edema is.

What is pulmonary edema?

Pulmonary edema is a disease resulting from a decrease in the rate of lymph flow under the influence of venous pressure. As a result, the content of pulmonary fluid exceeds the norm and gas exchange is disturbed.

The disease is characterized by symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing and suffocation.

In terms of their structure, the lungs can be compared to a bunch of grapes, where each “grape” is connected by blood vessels and filled with air.

These "grapes" are called alveoli. When a cat inhales air alveoli are saturated with oxygen through the surrounding blood cells. During exhalation, the alveoli release carbon dioxide.

Pulmonary edema in cats occurs when the alveoli fill with fluid. Fluid displaces air leads to disruption of the normal supply of the lungs oxygen. As a result, oxygen starvation occurs.

Not only is the required amount of oxygen not enough, but also the accumulated carbon dioxide cannot come out.

Specific signs of pulmonary edema in cats

In order for our pet to be healthy, we must monitor his health. At slightest symptoms disease, it is worth finding out what problem you will have to face and, if necessary, immediately contact a veterinarian.

Particular attention should be paid if the cat has recently undergone surgery under anesthesia. A healthy animal cannot have problems with anesthesia. But if the cat has a problem with the heart, then in this case anesthesia can give impetus to the development of pulmonary edema. It may not even show up right away, but there is a possibility of edema in the next couple of weeks after the operation.

There is no need to panic for any reason. If edema is suspected, at least two symptoms should be identified.

Symptoms of pulmonary edema in cats may include:

• the cat becomes lethargic, weakly active, stops responding to what used to cause her playfulness. This condition is directly related to the lack of oxygen. Any activity leads to shortness of breath;
• seems to be a silly expression: "a cat breathes like a dog." Actually this alarm signal, since breathing with open mouth cats are not. Perhaps you had to observe how, after long active games the cat sits with its mouth open. This happens, but not often and lasts from one to two minutes. Just the opposite happens when a cat is ill: it breathes through an open mouth, sticks out its tongue, wheezing and shortness of breath appear;
• shortness of breath is one of the symptoms of lung disease, as it immediately becomes clear that the cat is breathing somehow wrong. Normal breathing in cats with the chest and belly is the so-called chest-abdominal type of breathing. During illness, the animal breathes with its belly;
• heavy and irregular breathing is accompanied by wheezing. Wheezing also occurs inflammatory processes in the pharynx or trachea, for example with a cold. In the case of pulmonary edema in a cat, wheezing resembles a gurgling or gurgling. Fluid may also come out of the nose;
• coughing may occur during pulmonary edema. Of course cough is not an indicator with this type of disease, but if it has arisen, then this happens purely reflexively. The cat is having difficulty breathing and is trying to get rid of the accumulated fluid in the lungs. Cough may be accompanied large quantity sputum and even blood;
• The most pronounced symptom of the disease is cyanosis. Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the mucous membrane. Here, in a sick cat, due to a lack of oxygen, the mucous membrane and tongue are blue.

Causes of pulmonary edema

There are three causes of this disease in cats.

In addition to the above, we can highlight what also contributes to the development of pulmonary edema in a cat:

• the cat could stumble upon a bare electrical wire somewhere and get an electric shock;
• although felines love warmth, it still there is a possibility of getting heat stroke (in hot weather in a closed car, in an unventilated room in the heat);
• if, for example, there was a fall from a great height and the cat received a head injury (traumatic brain injury);
• it happens that the owners take the animal with them to the dacha, where in games the cat can accidentally stumble upon a snake and get a bite.

Considering all the causes and factors, it is necessary to distinguish between types of edema: cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic.

The first is characterized by the presence of heart disease.

The second occurs due to increased capillary permeability. It is less common in cats than in dogs. Associated with traumatic brain injury, poisoning, anaphylactic shock. Usually occurs as a result of the ingestion of any objects into the respiratory tract.

Diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary edema

The veterinarian makes an accurate diagnosis based on listening to noises in the lungs and on an x-ray.

Listening (auscultation) chest cats makes it possible to hear wheezing in the lungs, a heart murmur with cardiogenic edema.

In order to make a diagnosis from the picture, a chest x-ray is taken in two different projections perpendicular to each other. lung tissue blurred and shaded in the picture.

Sometimes if the cat is in a very bad condition a blood test is done. The animal is brought into stable state and then x-rays are taken.

Treatment of a cat, when the diagnosis is already confirmed, begins with the creation of a calm environment.

Pulmonary edema in cats is serious illness. The animal needs rest can't force feed and give to drink. A sick animal is looking for a secluded place where no one will disturb him.

After taking the cat to the doctor, the severity is diagnosed.

First of all, diuretics are used in the treatment.

A sick animal is allowed to breathe oxygen from an oxygen mask or placed in an oxygen chamber. In especially severe cases Maybe surgical intervention or connected to a ventilator.

Intravenous infusions will help restore electrolyte balance- the balance of potassium and sodium anions in the body.

Along with providing assistance all possible research should be done, such as: x-ray, blood test (general and biochemical).

For full recovery it is necessary to keep the cat in a hospital, as constant monitoring is required. This time usually ranges from one day to three days.

Disease prevention

An animal with a diseased heart needs regular monitoring by a specialist. Timely treatment will help such a patient avoid the risk of contracting another disease.

A seemingly healthy feline may be at risk because of their breed. Therefore, you should find out the characteristics of the breed and do prevention of pulmonary edema in cats.

Breathing problems that have arisen are a signal to immediately contact the veterinarian.

Pulmonary edema in cats serious illness pets. There is an excessive filling of the capillaries of the lungs with blood, due to which the fluid is excreted into the tissues surrounding the capillaries. There are two types - cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic.

Causes of pulmonary edema in cats

The photo shows an ultrasound of a 10-year-old cat with pulmonary edema.

Causes of a cardiac nature are called cardiogenic. This type of flow occurs with heart failure. Insufficient work of the left ventricle provokes a violation of the pulmonary circulation, which, in turn, provokes stagnation of blood in the lungs and the withdrawal of water into the surrounding tissues.

Diseases that are provoking factors:

• aortic heart disease;
• mitral heart disease;
• pulmonary embolism.

With cardiogenic factors, the lower parts begin to swell with a gradual transition to the bronchi.

In this state of affairs, the pulmonary alveoli cannot carry out normal gas exchange, as a result of which the cat experiences oxygen starvation, suffers from suffocation, and dies with untimely help. The prognosis of cardiogenic edema is unfavorable.

Non-cardiogenic causes

Pulmonary edema can be caused by electric shock.

All other causes that provoked pulmonary edema are called non-cardiogenic. The factors are:

• hot air entering the lungs by inhalation;
• prolonged inhalation of chemical toxic gases;
• croupous pneumonia;
• overheating thermal or solar;
• infections of a viral or bacterial nature - pasteurellosis, plague;
• electric shock;
• brain injury;
• the presence of septic processes;
• overdose of toxic drugs;
• asthma;
• malignant tumors.

Asthma can also cause pulmonary edema.

Diagnosis of pulmonary edema is based on the collection of anamnesis, visible symptoms, and medical history. By listening to the lungs, radiography.

Symptoms of pulmonary edema

Elderly animals suffering from heart disease are most susceptible to the disease.

The main signs of the disease are manifested in the behavior of the cat. The pet spreads its legs wide and tilts its head, trying to inhale the air. When touched, cold paws are felt. animal can long time lie on your side, unable to get up.

In the first place, fear appears in the look, the eyes become empty, the cat's panic is felt.

• The pet does not respond to the environment, the call of the owner.
• The pallor of the mucous membranes of the mouth is visible, followed by cyanosis.
• Breathing is difficult, accompanied by the release of pinkish sputum. heard when coughing bubbling or gurgling sounds. Possible nasal and oral foamy discharge, while the tongue protrudes outward.
• Rapid heartbeat, followed by a transition to intermittent and weak.

With pulmonary edema, the look of the cat will be panicky.

It ends with paralysis of the respiratory nerves and animal death . The disease is very acute form, lightning-fast course, but according to some signs, it can be noticed in time and treatment can be started immediately. The onset of the disease is manifested by confused breathing. The cat is more likely to breathe through its belly or open mouth. Respiration is very frequent and confused, with occasional short cough.

Having noticed such signs, the owner should immediately contact the clinic, otherwise delay threatens the inevitable death of the pet.

Is it possible to cure pulmonary edema in a cat

Trying to Help Your Pet will inevitably end with the death of the latter. It's not even worth trying. Take your cat to the clinic as soon as possible. The only help of the host may be furasemide to remove excess fluid.

But this measure is permissible only with full confidence that the cause lies in heart failure. Important condition when collecting to the clinic: prevent the animal from becoming nervous in order to avoid complications during a new attack.

Resuscitation assistance consists in the use of an oxygen cushion, in more difficult cases, a tracheotomy is performed.

The appointment of diuretic drugs - diuretics is recommended. Apply defoamers, vasodilating drugs. Cardiac drugs to restore the work of the heart. Carry out bleeding novocaine blockades sympathetic nodes. After elimination acute signs the cat is placed in a cool room with good ventilation, while it is important to avoid drafts.

The hospital maintains a cool temperature with good ventilation, but no draft

Shown symptomatic therapy: expectorants, antibiotics. Installation is important accurate diagnosis and after the elimination of the crisis, apply narrow-profile therapy.

Disease prevention

Pulmonary edema is a very serious disease, which in most cases ends in the death of the animal, so it is very important to follow the rules of necessary prevention.

Realize constant strict control over pets at risk: animals suffering from obesity, leading sedentary image life. It is necessary to keep an eye on pets suffering from heart disease, having genetic predisposition to heart disease.

Watch out for lazy cats!

Knowing about heart problems pet, all changes in his behavior should be carefully monitored and at the slightest warning signs contact your veterinarian immediately.

conclusions

From the foregoing, we can conclude that pulmonary edema is a serious illness with an unfavorable prognosis at the slightest delay, but it can be treated if it is treated with due attention and care to pets. Timely access to the doctor is the key to a long life of the pet.

The owners of such amazing animals can say the following in this article. If you notice your cat is short of breath, the first thing to do is contact your veterinary clinic urgently. Why? Because shortness of breath in a cat is very, very bad sign, which may indicate the onset of pulmonary edema. It should be noted that the term dyspnea” refers to breathing with an open mouth and protruding tongue, more frequent than usual, “belly” breathing. Later, to this symptom cyanosis (cyanosis) of the mucous membranes joins, lethargy, forced position of the body lying on the sternum with divorced to the sides elbow joints. Possibly available wet cough with sputum. Are we seeing any of this? So urgently to the clinic. Urgent, but don't panic. In the bustle, the animal will experience stress and the condition may worsen. But you, unfortunately, cannot help the cat at home.

As practice shows, in the treatment of pulmonary edema, we often make mistakes, acting according to patterns, without thinking about the physiology of a particular case. In this article, we will try to thoroughly analyze several reasons for the development of this process.

Let's start, as usual, at the beginning, namely with anatomy and physiology.

The air that the cat inhales moves down the trachea, which divides into two bronchi (tracheal bifurcation) - the right and left. Each bronchus continues with smaller airways already in the lungs - bronchioles, which end in small vesicles - alveoli. They seem to be shrouded in vessels with blood, being separated from the blood by a thin membrane, through which the erythrocyte is enriched with oxygen and removed carbon dioxide.

Pulmonary edema- this is a condition in which fluid accumulates outside the vessels of the lungs (in the lung connective tissue - interstitium, in the alveoli, in the bronchioles). The mechanisms of edema development are divided:

1. Due to increased hydrostatic pressure.

2. Due to increased vascular permeability.

3. Mixed reasons.

Decompensation occurs when the rate of formation of interstitial fluid suppresses the mechanisms of protective clearance, which include correction of interstitial hydrostatic and oncotic pressure and increased lymphatic outflow.

In this article we will lead the story, dividing the forms into cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic .

Cardiogenic pulmonary edema is a consequence of increased hydrostatic pressure in the vessels caused by left-sided heart failure. In cats, the most common heart disease leading to this pathology is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( GKMP). On the example of this pathology, we will consider the mechanism of edema development. With this diagnosis, the walls of the left ventricle thicken, and the contractility of the heart muscle decreases.

With the progression of the disease, the pressure in the left atrium increases due to obstructed outflow of blood. Since the blood in left atrium comes from the pulmonary veins, pressure also increases in the vessels of the lungs. First, correction of hydrostatic and oncotic pressure and increased lymphatic drainage protect the lungs from excess fluid. But over time, these mechanisms decompensate. The great difficulty lies in the fact that a cat, having this disease, may not show any clinical signs, and under stress (for example, during transportation to the clinic for vaccination) suddenly die from pulmonary edema. It is for this reason that cats genetically predisposed to HCM undergo additional research hearts even before planned operations. Indeed, in case of confirmation of the disease, the owners have the opportunity to reconsider the need surgical intervention, and for anesthesiologists - data on the level anesthesia risks. And even if no operations are planned, and your cat has breed predisposition to cardiac pathology, it will be right for the first years of life to be observed by a cardiologist, conducting EchoCG (ultrasound of the heart) every 6 months, so as not to miss a possible disease and take it under control in time. Breeds prone to HCM: Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Sphynx, British Shorthair, Scottish Fold, Norwegian Forest, Persian.

In addition to cardiogenic edema of the type of increased hydrostatic pressure, edema also occurs against the background of incorrect infusion therapy.

To non-cardiogenic include several forms of edema associated with vasculitis and numerous diseases that can lead to systemic inflammatory response or pathologies of the CNS.

Quite a few inflammatory diseases can lead to systemic inflammatory response syndrome SIRS), which is thought to result from an imbalance between systemic inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators. Inflammation at one site causes leukocyte activation and release of numerous cytokines, oxygen metabolites, and other inflammatory mediators that can initiate activation of the complement and coagulation cascades. As the inflammatory and coagulation cascades increase, an imbalance of anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant factors can lead to SIRS and cause direct cytokine- or leukocyte-mediated damage to the pulmonary capillary endothelium. As a result, capillary permeability increases, and plasma proteins with inflammatory mediators penetrate into the lung structures. This fluid flow leads to pulmonary edema and, if severe, can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome ( ARDS).

Both SIRS and ARDS occur secondary to other diseases that may reside primarily in the lungs or other organs (sepsis, pancreatitis, pneumonia, extensive tissue injury, immune disease, and metastatic neoplasia). Also, the causes of increased vascular permeability are pulmonary embolism, ventilation-associated lung injury, toxic lung injury (volatile hydrocarbons and cisplatin).

Neurogenic pulmonary edema (non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema due to barotrauma) occurs in our patients most often as a result of head trauma, seizures, obstruction of the upper respiratory tract or electric shock. Although the true pathophysiology has not been elucidated, it is thought to be a direct result of massive central sympathetic nerve stimulation. There is a release a large number catecholamines (eg, epinephrine, norepinephrine) into the bloodstream. They are known to cause severe pulmonary venous and peripheral vasoconstriction (vasoconstriction), leading to pulmonary and systemic hypertension, respectively. An increase in systemic hypertension may, in turn, lead to an increase in left atrial pressure caused by a decrease in cardiac output from increased vascular resistance. This process itself can lead to the development of pulmonary edema due to an increase in hydrostatic pressure in vascular system.

Diagnosis of pulmonary edema in cats

Important for diagnosis complete medical history. Owners with a pet showing signs of pulmonary edema should be prepared to answer questions about the presence of heart disease and ongoing therapy, or signs of possible heart failure. It also stands still in the place where the animal showed signs of edema, pay attention to open wires, electrical appliances, and in general to the position of the body and the presence of injuries in the cat. Perhaps this will help determine the cause of the pathology.

Expert method, to confirm the diagnosis of "pulmonary edema", is thoracic radiography. In cats with respiratory failure, testing is often difficult and may worsen symptoms due to stress. But on auscultation, rather characteristic large bubbling rales and "gurgling" are usually found. Having made a preliminary diagnosis, you need to start oxygen therapy, make sure that you can conduct a study without worsening the condition and take an x-ray in the dorsoventral projection to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment. A "correct" projection can be performed when the patient is stable enough to cope with the examination and when we have taken care of anxiolysis (anti-anxiety therapy).

To diagnose the cause of edema, it is necessary to carry out complete physical examination, possible with interruptions and periodic return of the patient to the oxygen chamber. The examination should include echocardiography, general clinical and biochemical analyzes blood, general analysis urine, pulse oximetry. Although none of these tests are diagnostic of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema ( NCPE), findings may provide clues to an underlying cause if no history indicates heart failure, neurological injury, or if an inflammatory mechanism with subsequent SIRS is suspected.

The radiograph most characteristic of NCPE is increased interstitial or alveolar opacity, most commonly in the caudodorsal lung fields. AT severe cases the infiltrate may become diffuse, however the caudodorsal fields tend to be more deeply affected. In cardiogenic edema, there may be a focal, almost nodular, diffuse alveolar pattern. In some cases, you can see the pulmonary veins more clearly than pulmonary arteries. Darkening of the cranioventral lobes is characteristic of aspiration pneumonia.

Therapy for all types of pulmonary edema includes oxygenation. Cats are best kept in an oxygen chamber, as they Crow's mask and collar cause great stress. However, if it is possible to use anxiolytic drugs, masks can also be used if the patient allows. With the use of a mask, a high percentage (up to 100%) of inhaled oxygen (FiO2) can be achieved at an oxygen rate of 100 to 200 ml/kg/min8 (room air provides approximately 20% FiO2). An ice container must be placed in the oxygen chamber to prevent overheating. Another option for oxygen supplementation is nasal insufflation (nasal cannulas). By placing, under sedation, a nasal catheter can provide FiO2 between 40% and 60% depending on the oxygen flow rate.

In patients with severe respiratory distress, in the absence of a response to the above oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation may be required(IVL). It is indicated for patients in whom gas analysis arterial blood indicates oxygen partial pressure less than 60 mm Hg. or the level of carbon dioxide is more than 60 mm Hg, or the saturation does not rise above 90%. There are conflicting data in the literature on the effect of mechanical ventilation on the resolution of pulmonary edema - in some cases it can help in therapy, in others it can slow down treatment. Therefore, the decision on the need for positive pressure ventilation should be made individually, not to hesitate in case of a rapid deterioration in the condition, but not to apply unnecessarily.

When using any method of oxygen support requires careful monitoring because prolonged addition of oxygen can lead to grave consequences, including pulmonary fibrosis. A general rule of thumb is that patients should not be supplemented with 100% oxygen for more than 24 hours or 60% oxygen for more than 48 hours. FiO2 levels of less than 50% are generally considered safe for longer periods.

The body position of the animal - lying on the sternum with the elbows apart, helps with gas exchange, probably by reducing atelectasis.

In patients with cardiogenic pulmonary edema the main therapy after the addition of oxygen is diuretic, such as furosemide, which helps reduce both total fluid volume and increased hydrostatic pressure in the vascular system. It is assumed that furosemide directly affects the ability of the alveolar epithelium to pump fluid from the air space. The drug is administered at a dosage of 1-4 mg / kg 1 time in 4 hours (possibly more often at the beginning of therapy).

In NCPE, the cause of the edema is NOT an increase in fluid volume resulting in an increase in hydrostatic pressure. Therefore, the use of furosemide in these patients may contribute to systemic hypovolemia, which worsen the patient's condition. However, in patients with severe endothelial injury, pulmonary capillary oncotic pressure decreases as a result of protein leakage into the interstitial and alveolar regions, so hydrostatic pressure is the main cause of fluid flow. In other words, the amount of fluid released from the damaged capillary is determined by its total volume passing through the vessel. For this reason, some clinicians advocate the use of furosemide in IRS (constant rate infusion) at a low dose of 0.1 mg/kg/hour.

AT emergency cases a useful group are nitric oxide donors, which include nitroglycerin. It rapidly induces vasodilation, thereby reducing preload and afterload. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as pimobendan increase cyclic adenosine monophosphate (to increase fluid reabsorption from the alveolar space) and may also be used to treat pulmonary edema, but scientific evidence is lacking.

Since the hydrostatic pressure gradient is very important in the pathogenesis of pulmonary edema, it is reasonable limit fluid administration to these patients. But the decision should be made taking into account the risks of impaired renal function and the development of multiple organ failure. The pulmonary, microvascular barrier is relatively permeable to protein and therefore colloids can increase oncotic pressure in the pulmonary capillaries, resulting in decreased fluid outflow into the interstitium. However, if the pores of the damaged endothelium are large enough to allow penetration of colloids, the administration of these drugs may exacerbate the process. Therefore, bolus administration of drugs (crystalloids and colloids) is not recommended, so as not to cause an acute increase in hydrostatic pressure, but it can be used with PSI.

Therapy with corticosteroids and bronchodilators has not been shown to be useful for the treatment of pulmonary edema.

To stop the progression of pulmonary edema, it is necessary to carry out intensive therapy of the underlying process of the disease. Attempt to compensate for heart failure or disease leading to SIRS or neurological deficit. As a rule, intensive care is required for 24-72 hours until complete elimination of edema.

When cardiogenic cause the prognosis is unfavorable, the likelihood of relapse and further deterioration is high. In the non-cardiogenic form, the prognosis is usually favorable if the underlying cause can be established and adequate treatment can be selected.

Bibliography:

1. Noncardiogenic Pulmonary Edema BY ROBERT H. PRESLEY, DVM

JUNE 2006 (VOL 27, NO 6) FOCUS: CARDIOPULMONARY CONSIDERATIONS

2. Small Animal CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE 2009

Deborah C. Silverstein, Kate Hopper

3. Pulmonary edema (Proceedings)

By Elizabeth Rozanski, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC

CVC IN SAN DIEGO PROCEEDINGS

4. Introduction to Lung and Airway Disorders of Cats

By Ned F. Kuehn, DVM, MS, DACVIM, Section

Chief, Internal Medicine, Michigan Veterinary Specialists

If your cat is showing signs of pulmonary edema, the veterinarians at VetState Veterinary City Clinic can help emergency assistance as well as intensive care and complete diagnostics health of your pet and deal with the problem effectively.

We are glad to see you 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Without holidays and weekends from 10.00 to 21.00.

Pulmonary edema is serious condition, which occurs as a result of overflow of capillaries and veins with blood. As a result, blood plasma enters the bronchi, bronchioles and connective lung tissue. blood Stagnation, in turn, leads to swelling of the lungs and bronchial mucosa. The disease is classified as a terminal condition.

The onset of edema, as a rule, develops rapidly and sharply, as a result of which they begin to suffer vitally. important organs animal: heart, kidneys, lungs and brain. Therefore, with signs of the first pulmonary edema in a cat, treatment should be started as early as possible and only under the strict supervision of an experienced doctor.

Edema can develop in the lungs as a result of inflammation of the lungs (heat or sunstroke), physical heavy loads, plague, pasteurellosis, pancreatitis, renal failure, with general anesthesia and chemical poisoning.

Symptoms of pulmonary edema

• abdominal speeded up;
• breathing breathing with a characteristic "gurgling":
• wheezing, wet cough with sputum discharge with blood;
• blue animal;
• mucous takes a forced posture, can not Important.

lie down: if you suspect a diagnosis of "feline edema in the lungs", treatment begins immediately, since the life of the animal depends on the reaction of speed!

What you can’t do: worry and panic, try to get drunk and self-medicate the animal. Pulmonary edema is a very dangerous condition that requires not only intensive care, but also resuscitation, sometimes carried out by an experienced doctor.

What to do: immediately dial our clinic phone number and immediately explain to the veterinarian the severity of the whole condition, be sure! The life of a cat depends on the correctness of your actions!

Pulmonary edema in treatment, cats

Therapy begins with providing absolute rest to the cat. Drugs are mainly administered intravenously: glucose solution or calcium chloride, cordiamine, or sulfocamphocaine adrenaline. Also, the doctor can prescribe expectorants and diuretics. The next step is symptomatic treatment.

Remember: the disease is always easier, therefore, to prevent a timely preventive examination at the “consultation” clinic and the Zoostatus of a veterinarian is a guarantee of the health and quality of life of your pet!

Pulmonary edema in cats - causes, symptoms and treatment

The disease is manifested by a sharp expansion blood vessels lungs with subsequent accumulation of serous fluid in the alveoli.

Symptoms of the disease

The cat experiences severe depression due to the development of shortness of breath and asthma attacks. In this case, the animal takes a characteristic posture: in a standing position, the cat spreads its forelimbs and expands its nostrils. Her mucous membranes are bluish in color. There is often swelling subcutaneous tissue in the chest, paws, perineum and around the eyes. From the nasal openings during inhalation, foam with a bloody tinge may be released.

Pulmonary edema is never an independent disease. This disease often accompanies cardiac, renal or liver failure, as well as anemia, cachexia (exhaustion), trauma and inflammation of the brain, poisoning with poisonous gases.

Treatment

Therapeutic measures should begin with the elimination of the disease that provoked the development of pulmonary edema. The cat must be given complete rest. From medicines cardiac, diuretic and laxative drugs should be used. Helps just as well intravenous administration 10% solution calcium chloride or 40% glucose solution.

Cardiogenic pulmonary edema in cats. Pulmonary edema

There is a standard algorithm of actions that must be followed veterinarian in the treatment of an acute condition caused by pulmonary edema. Since pulmonary edema develops acute respiratory failure and hypoxia of tissues and organs, including vital ones, it is necessary to carry out oxygen therapy and, in some cases, artificial ventilation of the lungs.

Among the drugs used to relieve an acute condition and reduce it negative consequences on the body, - neuroleptics, diuretics, for example, furosemide (Lasix), nitroglycerin, corticosteroids, antihistamines, eufillin, defoamers. It is also important to treat the underlying cardiac pathology (if the edema is cardiogenic) and detoxification therapy - with toxic edema lungs, as well as for the correction of disorders caused by respiratory failure.

When conducting infusion therapy (which may include plasma transfusion - with pulmonary edema caused by hypoalbuminemia, i.e. low content albumin in the blood), it is important to strictly (!) Account for the amount of fluids administered and diuresis, i.e. removing them, since the absence of it can greatly aggravate the condition of the animal, up to lethal outcome. It is also necessary to prescribe antibacterial drugs to prevent the development of secondary bacterial infection(it is especially important in those cases when artificial ventilation of the lungs was carried out).

During treatment, it is also necessary to regularly monitor the state of the body with the help of laboratory and instrumental research(blood tests, radiography, electrocardiography, control of arterial and venous pressure).

Prevention of the development of cardiogenic pulmonary edema is timely diagnosis and holding adequate treatment(conservative or operative - with heart defects that can be corrected) heart diseases. In addition, sharp and chronic diseases respiratory system, which are also one of the causes of pulmonary edema, must also be diagnosed before irreversible damage develops, often leading to the development of heart failure due to chronic hypoxia, to which it is very sensitive, for example, the myocardium - the heart muscle.

Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema can be prevented by the absence of incorrect fluid therapy ( excess fluid introduced into the body, which happens when hydration is carried out without taking into account the amount of incoming and outgoing fluid). Prevention of the development of hypoalbuminemia in diseases of the kidneys, liver, intestines, as well as the refusal of the animal to eat, is also a prevention of the development of pulmonary edema.

To prevent toxic shock it is necessary to prevent the inhalation of various toxic substances by animals, including poisonous gases and tobacco smoke control the development of acute allergic reactions(which can only be done by a veterinarian).

Communities

Pulmonary edema

Pulmonary edema is acute condition which requires immediate veterinary care and is often the cause of death of the animal. From these facts it follows that if there is a suspicion of pulmonary edema in your pet, you should first contact veterinarian(urgently, not via the Internet, but to a clinic where intensive care is possible!).

Symptoms of pulmonary edema are shortness of breath, breathing with an open mouth ( clear sign in cats, which are not normally characterized by this type of breathing), as well as cough (rare in cats, more common in dogs). Animals often take a pose with their front legs wide apart, refuse to take lying position. For more late stages a pinkish-colored foamy liquid may be released from the oral and nasal cavities.

Medical field: Pulmonology