CHYLOTHORAX IN THE DOG AND CAT - A REVIEW

Chylothorax is a rare but complex disorder in domestic animals. Etiolo gies include neoplasia, fungal infections, heartworm infestation, card iac disease, thrombosis of the cranial vena cava, and congenital anoma ly of the thoracic duct. Most cases of chylothorax in dogs and cats ar e idiopathic. Positive contrast lymphangiography on dogs and cats with chylothorax consistently reveals extensive lymphangiectasia of medias tinal and pleural lymphatics. Reported treatment modalities for chylot horax in animals include removal of the etiologic agent, such as a med iastinal tumor, thoracic duct ligation, and implantation of active or passive drainage devices such as a pleuroperitoneal shunt. Thoracic du ct ligation has been most successful in our experience, but continued study is needed since treatment failures are common.