Hi everyone. My cat, Nala, is about 12 years old and otherwise very healthy. A week ago she became lethargic and short of breath, so we took her to the vet where they drew 200ml of fluid from her chest. The vet at first thought it was pyothorax, and put her on antibiotics. That was last Wednesday (7/6), and she went back to the vets for antibiotic shots and to drain the fluid on both Thursday and Friday. The fluid drained had decreased to 60ml on Friday.
Our vet was closed Saturday and Sunday, and she did moderately well at home with us--still lethargic, but at least no worse than she was on Wednesday.
She returned to the vet yesterday (Monday), where he drew 150ml of fluid from her chest. He once again drained 150ml when we took her today. The vet said the fluid should have lessened more than that, and now suspects chylothorax. He sent samples of the fluid off to a lab for testing, but we won't know anything until Friday or so.
Pyothorax sounds like a grim enough diagnosis, but chylothorax sounds even worse. I am absolutely sick with worry, and to make things worse, dreadfully confused about these two diseases and what to expect. Does anyone have any experience with either? I can't find much information on either one anywhere, but what I have read seems to suggest that the drainage process for a cat with pyothorax lasts 5-10 days. Since we have been draining for 7 (including Sat and Sun, though no draining occurred on those days), I don't know if we should suspect the worst just yet; on the other hand, it seems strange that after decreasing so much on Friday, the fluid volume would be so high today.
I don't know what to think; whether to prepare myself for the worst, or try and stay hopeful. I alternate between being on the verge of tears, my stomach in knots, and feeling hopeful and optimistic that she might pull through. I am sorry to post such a long message as my first post, but I am desperate. Can anyone offer any advice, experience, or knowledge about this?
Our vet was closed Saturday and Sunday, and she did moderately well at home with us--still lethargic, but at least no worse than she was on Wednesday.
She returned to the vet yesterday (Monday), where he drew 150ml of fluid from her chest. He once again drained 150ml when we took her today. The vet said the fluid should have lessened more than that, and now suspects chylothorax. He sent samples of the fluid off to a lab for testing, but we won't know anything until Friday or so.
Pyothorax sounds like a grim enough diagnosis, but chylothorax sounds even worse. I am absolutely sick with worry, and to make things worse, dreadfully confused about these two diseases and what to expect. Does anyone have any experience with either? I can't find much information on either one anywhere, but what I have read seems to suggest that the drainage process for a cat with pyothorax lasts 5-10 days. Since we have been draining for 7 (including Sat and Sun, though no draining occurred on those days), I don't know if we should suspect the worst just yet; on the other hand, it seems strange that after decreasing so much on Friday, the fluid volume would be so high today.
I don't know what to think; whether to prepare myself for the worst, or try and stay hopeful. I alternate between being on the verge of tears, my stomach in knots, and feeling hopeful and optimistic that she might pull through. I am sorry to post such a long message as my first post, but I am desperate. Can anyone offer any advice, experience, or knowledge about this?