Pectus carinatum em felino / Pectus carinatum in a cat

ABSTRACT

Background: Pectus are congenital sternal deformities considered rare in small animals, and they are divided into twotypes. Pectus excavatum causes a concave aspect in the ventral portion of the animal’s thorax, which is known as “funnelchest,” while pectus carinatum produces a convex appearance and is therefore called “pigeon chest.” The etiology of theseanomalies has not yet been fully elucidated, but it is assumed that there is genetic involvement. The diagnosis is basedon clinical examination and is confirmed by thoracic radiography. This report describes a case of pectus carinatum in aone-month-old domestic cat.Case An unspayed female domestic cat, about one month old, weighing 0.1 kg, was admitted to the Veterinary Hospital ofthe Federal University of Piauí (UFPI). When her history was taken, her owner reported that he had rescued the animal theprevious day and noticed that showed difficulty breathing, so naturally worming and vaccination were not reported. Uponphysical examination, the patient showed an abdominal breathing pattern, severe dyspnea, pale mucosa, nasal discharge,apathy, poor nutritional status (body score 1), signs of apparent dehydration and a temperature of 38.5ºC. Palpation revealedincreased volume in the thoracic region. X-rays were ordered due to suspicion of diaphragmatic injury. The chest X-rayreport indicated ventral segment displacement of the 4th to the 8th sternebra, with accommodation of the cardiac silhouettein the right lateral, left lateral and dorsoventral projections, suggesting pectus carinatum. Pulmonary radiodensity wasalso augmented, with greater intensity in the right middle lobe, an alveolar pattern, radiographic signs suggestive of aninfectious process (pneumonia), and pulmonary hyperinflation. A qualitative analysis revealed cardiac silhouette whosedimensions showed no radiographic evidence of alterations at the moment of the examination. The diaphragmatic domewas intact...