Medical management of idiopathic chylothorax in a crossbreed cat with octreotide and rutin use: A case report

Abstract

BThis case report describes the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic chylothorax in a 5-year-old female crossbreed cat who presented with respiratory distress, tachypnea, cyanosis, exercise intolerance and weight loss over a short period of time. Based on the clinical examination, blood results, radiological and echocardiographic findings, the patient was diagnosed with chylous effusion. Chylothorax was considered idiopathic because there was no underlying trauma or disease etiology. Effusion drainage was performed by thoracocentesis to reduce respiratory stress. After thoracocentesis, followed by using medical octreotide- a somatostatin analogue (Sandostatin™, 0.1 mg/ml ampoule, Novartis, USA) and rutin - a flavone benzo-γ-pyrone plant fruit extracted from the Brazilian plant Fava D'anta (Dimorphandra mollis) (Rutin - Plant-Based Bioflavonoid, 500 mg tablet, Solgar™, USA), were administered in addition to supportive treatment. Rutin and ocreotide have been used successfully in humans, dogs and cats to the treatment of pleural effusions as presented various studies. It is hoped that these drugs may also be useful for decreasing pleural effusion in cats with chylothorax. In this represented case; partial resolution of pleural effusion was observed after octreotide usage and complete resolution of pleural effusion was observed after rutin (plant-based bioflavonoid) usage. No recurrence was observed during 7 months of regular follow-up.It was determined that the use of octreotide and rutin after thoracocentesis gave successful results in the medical management of idiopathic chylothorax in cats.