My cat has fluid in his chest. Will the pleural effusion return?

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a disease that manifests primarily the skin, nose, mouth, tissues around the eyes, and there are bloodwork changes (anemia, low platelet count) that can occur. Fluid build-up in the body (I presume it was in his chest as you mentioned breathing problems) does not occur with Lupus. Your veterinarian is making a good suggestion for wanting you to see a cardiologist. One of the causes of fluid build-up in the chest could be congestive heart failure. There are many things that can cause fluid to build up, congestive heart failure is only one of them While any veterinarian can diagnose and treat heart failure, in complicated cases (as it sounds like Max's case is) getting the assistance from a cardiologist would probably be very helpful. The cardiologist may recommend additional testing such as a cardiac ultrasound (echocardiogram) and possibly other tests as well. It is good that Max is feeling well now but the time to address health problems is when they are recognized, ideally before patients are debilitated from them.

Poor Yoda. Unfortunately there are several things that can cause pleural effusion including right sided heart failure, cancer, poor lymph drainage, certain viral infections, and more. My concern would be that she may have a heart problem or cancer because of her age and since she is still labored breathing despite no longer having pleural effusion. It may be time for her to have an ultrasound of her chest/heart. I am so sorry that you are going through this with sweet Yoda. I hope y'all are able to get her regulated with medications and figure out what is going on with her.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Spas! I am so sorry Spas is so sick! Possible causes are congestive heart failure, pleural effusion (from heart failure, infection, cancer, chyle, blood) or cancer. Has your Vet determined the cause. Cats in heart failure can do well once stable but will need to be on life long medications. Only you know what is best for Spas and your family. If he doesn't start improving where he doesn't need oxygen and is breathing normally with in 2-3 days then it is reasonable to think about stopping. If he responds and is back to normal I would treat him until he has another crisis and then consider stopping. I hope this helps and I wish you and Spas the best!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am so sorry for your loss! I do see pleural effusion (fluid) on the X-ray but I would also suspect a mass, which is likely the cause of the fluid. That could be why your Vet couldn't get any. Most of the white on the X-ray is likely the mass and only a small amount of fluid. I wish you the best!

Given the elevated temperature a pneumonia die to a mixed viral and bacterial infection is highly possible. Cardiac disease should be ideally ruled out as well. Often these diseases require a longer treatment course unfortunately. I do not think we can give you more specific advices at this stage, as a more thorough evaluation it would require more clinical informations including see the radiographs. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further

Hello. FIV is a very serious disease that is often fatal. We sometimes will aspirate the effusions , but for the most part it is a very uncomfortable process that is very temporary at best. The effusions come back very quickly. You did nothing wrong. You cared for your friend until the very end, but the virus was just too overwhelming for his system. I am so sorry for your loss, but you honestly did nothing wrong. Please accept my condolences on your loss & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

The most common cause of fluid in the lungs of older cats is cancer. Certainly other problems can cause it as well, but many of those problems would be ruled out with normal lab work. You can consider having the fluid drained as much as possible, and sometimes starting a diuretic such as lasix can decrease its formation, but neither of trise solve the problem. However, if you get fluid you may be able To get a diagnosis from the fluid. However, I do worry that it is likely a very guarded prognosis regardless of the cause. I’m so sorry Nibbs is so sick. Take care and thank you for using Pet Coach.