Brain Teaser: Can you solve this puzzle?

By Kendra Freeman, DVM, MS, DACVS (Large Animal/Small Animal)

Presentation

A 21-year-old cat presents for respiratory distress. Chylous effusion is removed via thoracocentesis.

Challenge

1) The most common cause of chylothorax in cats is:

a. Neoplasia
b. Cardiac disease
c. Trauma
d. Idiopathic

2) Which nutraceutical has been recommended for the medical management of chylothorax?

a. Flaxseed oil
b. Rutin
c. Yunnan Baiyao

3) True or false: Males and female cats are equally affected by chylothorax.

References

1. Fossum, T. W., Forrester, S. D., Swenson, C. L., Miller, M. W., Cohen, N. D., Boothe, H. W., & Birchard, S. J. (1991). Chylothorax in cats: 37 cases (1969-1989). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 198(4), 672-678.
2. Dickson, R., Adam, A., Garcia Rubio, D., Cinti, F., Singh, A., Mayhew, P., ... & Fransson, B. A. (2024). Outcome of video‐assisted thoracoscopic treatment of idiopathic chylothorax in 15 cats. Veterinary Surgery, 53(5), 852-859.