A case of pyothorax in cat

A case of pyothorax was reported in a non-descript female cat of about 2 years of age. The cat had a history of unthriftiness, off-fed, dull, lethargy and dyspnoea. When opened the thoracic cavity was seen filled up with creamy, opaque and liquid pus. Grossly, the lungs were consolidated at places whereas the size of the heart was enlarged to some extent. Microscopical examination revealed markedly thickened pleura with infiltration of inflammatory cells both in pleura and underlying lung parenchyma. Liver showed degenerative changes/necrosis in most of the hepatocytes. Spleen had marked follicular hyperplasia. Gram negative bacilli highly sensitive to enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and gentamycin were isolated from the pus on cultural examination. Probably, various Gram negative bacilli being commensals of esophagus and oropharynx might have set the infection, however, the exact cause could not be ascertained.