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Incidental findings at necropsy of hypoplasia of two lung lobes in the left lung of a cat

Abstract:

Pulmonary hypoplasia(PH) is an anatomical condition characterized by underdevelopment of lung tissue, respiratory passages, and pulmonary blood vessels. It can be primary or secondary, with the latter being associated, at times, with insufficient thoracic space. PH can manifest unilaterally or bilaterally, affecting the production of pulmonary surfactant and resulting in alveolar collapse. Although rare in human neonates, PH has also been observed in animals, including felines. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV), a Gammaretrovirus, is associated with various pathologies in cats, including respiratory difficulty and pleural effusion. A domestic feline presenting severe respiratory symptoms and pleural effusion tested positive for FeLV. Echocardiography, thoracentesis, and subsequent necropsy were performed. Tissues were fixed and histopathologically analyzed. Necropsy revealed serosanguineous effusion in the left hemithorax. The left lung showed alterations in its architecture and reduction of the cranial and middle lobes. The heart exhibited changes in cardiac silhouette and ventricular thickening. Histopathological analysis identified changes in lung parenchyma, alveolar atelectasis, and bronchi. The pulmonary hypoplasia of the cranial and middle lobes of the left lung in this case is an incidental finding in the necropsy of a feline. Reduction of the VA/Q ratio could have caused dyspnea. Smooth muscle hyperplasia of vessels suggests pulmonary hypertension, related to severe complications observed in similar cases. Pleural effusion, common in FeLV-infected cats, was consistent with previous studies. This case report highlights the first documentation of an incidental finding of cranial and middle lobe pulmonary hypoplasia in a feline with FeLV, demonstrating the anatomical and pathophysiological impacts of this condition.