Successful treatment of feline pyothorax associated with an Actinomyces species and Bacteroides melanogenicus

Authors: Melville VJ, Butler S, Thompson JC, Gartrell BM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 40, Issue 2, pp 73-75, Jun 1992
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cat, Companion animal
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Skeletal/bone/cartilage, Respiratory system, Treatment/therapy
Article class: Clinical Communication

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Abstract: A cat was presented to a veterinary clinic with a severe pleural effusion from which an organism later identified as an Actinomyces spp., probably A. odontolyticus, was isolated along with Bacteroides mehnogenicus. It was successfully treated with surgical drainage and a combination of amoxycillin and sulphadiazine/trimethoprim. The fluid was cytologically examined to obtain a provisional diagnosis and to allow treatment to be initiated while the organisms were cultured and identified. The cat is now clinically normal except for slight abdominal respiration, presumably resulting from adhesions following the severe infection.

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