title: Disease association and clinical assessment of feline pericardial effusion.
abstract: Records were reviewed from 83 cases to determine the main causes and clinical significance of feline pericardial effusion. The most common causes included hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure, neoplasia, and systemic infection. Most cases had concurrent or secondary pleural effusion or pulmonary edema, with clinical signs of respiratory disease. However, several cases appeared to be affected solely by pericardial effusion rather than pulmonary pathology. Feline pericardial effusion remains an infrequent diagnosis, but its clinical relevance and association with severe cardiac and extracardiac disease warrant diagnostic evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Washington State University, P.O. Box 647060, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Anna C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Paling
authors.forename: Sunshine L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lahmers
authors.forename: O Lynne
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D002415:Cats; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies