![]() This can involve one, or both sides, of the chest. Thoracic effusions decrease the ability of the lungs to expand. Thoracic effusions can occur from lymphatic blockages, cardiac (heart) disease, cancer, infections, and other causes. Once they are filled with fluid, they cannot work to exchange carbon dioxide and oxygen, and the lung function becomes impaired. The functional units of the lungs are called alveoli. Edema can be troublesome in that it decreases the lungs’ capacity to oxygenate the blood by decreasing the volume of working lung tissue. Lung or pulmonary edema can occur for a variety of reasons including pneumonia from bacteria or viruses, parasitic infections, cancer, trauma, heart failure or other cardiac disease, and electrical shock. In cats, the lungs are not fully symmetrical, with an accessory lung lobe on the right side.įluid can build up in two places in the chest: within the lungs themselves (edema), or around the lungs-between the lung tissue and the chest wall (effusion). The lungs are divided into a left and right side. ![]() They also have key roles in being a sentinel for the immune system. ![]() The lungs are found within the thoracic or chest cavity, and work to introduce oxygen into the bloodstream, as well as to help balance the pH of the body. The first step to understand how fluid in the lungs happens, is to understand the anatomy of the lungs. We will explore these, as well as how the condition happens, and the care involved for your furry friend if it does. ![]() However, there are a number of symptoms that you can watch for at home that might indicate the issue is occurring. Cats are excellent at hiding signs of illness, so fluid in their chest is a common illness that is only diagnosed once a cat has been to see their vet. There are many various illnesses that can strike a cat, but fluid in or around their lungs is one of the more concerning. ![]()
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