Veterinarians commonly prescribe a drug called rutin for cats that are experiencing a condition known as idiopathic chylothorax. Listed below you will find some information about rutin and idiopathic chylothorax.
Rutin: What It Is and What It Does
Rutin is a drug for cats that is administered orally. The main condition that rutin is normally used to treat is idiopathic chylothorax, which will be discussed below. Rutin is a type of plant extract that is known as a benzopyrone. Benzopyrone is a type of ketone that is used to chemically treat and reverse conditions of edema by stabilizing cellular structure in the patient, in this case, your cat, by stimulating the degradation of extracellular albumen through the use of macrophages. Edema is a buildup of fluid in the area of the body just below the skin. Body cavities, such as the thorax and abdomen are also areas that can become edematic. Macrophages are white blood cells contained within the cellular structure.
What Idiopathic Chylothorax Is
Idiopathic chylothorax is a type of pleurisy or fluid buildup in and around the lungs. Chylothorax is normally caused when the lymphatic vessels or the thoracic duct begin to leak. However, it can also be caused by blockages of the ducts that normally carry this lymphatic fluid away from this area. Chest trauma and tumors are the normal causes of this condition. However, in cats, the usual cause of this condition is heartworms and tumors.
Diagnosis of Idiopathic Chylothorax
Typically, diagnosis will consist of your vet listening to your cat’s lungs first. If he hears that the breathing is labored, he will most likely do a chest x-ray to see if he can spot a fluid buildup. Blood tests and other diagnostic tools may also be used to determine the cause of the conditions noted in the original examination. A procedure called thoracentesis may also be utilized. This procedure consists of a large gauge needle being inserted into the thoracic cavity and any fluids present being drawn off and sampled. The presence of a milky fluid in the syringe will indicate a diagnosis of idiopathic chylothorax.
Idiopathic Chylothorax Treatment
If idiopathic chylothorax is diagnosed, the underlying cause must be treated, as well as the symptoms, the fluid buildup. As stated above, in cats, the usual cause of this condition is heartworm. Your vet will prescribe a medication that will most likely also be orally administered to cure your cat of the heartworm problem. While treating the underlying cause of the condition, your vet will also want to treat the pleurisy condition and normally he will rely on the benzopyrone rutin for this due to its efficiency in causing the reabsorption of the edematic fluid buildup in the thoracic cavity.
Idiopathic chylothorax is a condition that can develop into something very serious. The easiest way for you, the pet owner to diagnose this condition, or the need for further diagnosis, is to watch your cat for mouth breathing or labored breathing without heavy physical activity. If you notice either of these, you should take your cat to the vet for further examination.