How to cure swimmer's syndrome in kittens

Why does swimmer's syndrome occur?

Most often, the disease is observed in the Bengal or Oriental breed.

Flat chest syndrome occurs in kittens for a number of reasons. Breeders and veterinarians cannot accurately determine the factors that provoke pathology. But experts highlight some of them:

• Very hard surface in the habitat, unsuitable temperature. Kittens sleep separately from each other, and when the temperature is normal they settle together. The kitten spends time in one position for a long time.
• During pregnancy, the cat did not receive the required amount of vitamins or they were poorly absorbed.
• Hereditary predisposition.
• Respiratory tract infections, pneumonia.
• Colic. Air enters the stomach instead of the lungs, making breathing difficult.
• Diaphragmatic spasm.

Drug therapy and medical procedures

In most cases, treatment is carried out at home. The animal is given massages, the affected glands are bandaged and treated with external means.

In advanced cases, in addition to drug therapy, surgical intervention is performed. The operation to remove purulent contents and necrotic tissue is performed under general anesthesia.

Priority actions

Before visiting a veterinary clinic, first aid is allowed. To do this you will need:

1. Reduce the amount of liquid consumed. If you drink a small amount, milk production will slow down. It is also recommended to temporarily eliminate wet food in favor of dry food.
2. Express milk. Do this yourself or with the help of the kittens, offering them milk from all nipples.

If there are cracks or foreign impurities appear, feeding the litter and expressing it yourself is unacceptable. Heating the inflamed lobes is no less dangerous - high temperatures and humidity are ideal for the growth of pathogenic microflora.

Medicines and injections

After the diagnosis is made, the animal is given injections that relieve inflammation (Mastometrin, Calcium gluconate, Travmatin) and given immunomodulators (Katozal, Gamavit). For severe swelling, diuretics are prescribed.

Advanced mastitis in a cat with severe pain is treated with novocaine blockade using antibacterial (Cefazolin, Sinulox, Ampicillin) or antifungal drugs (Amphotericin, Griseofulvin). The duration of antibiotic treatment depends on the type of disease and ranges from 5 days to 1 month.

Severe tissue damage and extensive abscess will require surgery. The affected gland is partially cut out or completely removed.

Folk remedies

Treatment of mastitis in cats with folk remedies is permissible only under the supervision of a veterinarian. To relieve inflammation, use fresh cabbage leaves, mashed with a rolling pin until juice appears. Other common lotions include oak bark decoction, chamomile and sage infusions. Sage is also used internally to reduce lactation. It is recommended to check with your doctor for exact dosages.

The resulting decoctions and infusions are cooled to room temperature. Bandages or gauze dressings are soaked in them, squeezed out and applied to the inflamed glands. The procedures are carried out 3 times a day until the symptoms disappear completely.

Massage

The massage technique involves gently “scratching” the gland 2-3 times a day. Move smoothly from the base of the bag to the nipple for 5 minutes. For better effect, add camphor oil, which has antiseptic and analgesic properties. Such massage is allowed only for mild forms of the disease, excluding the presence of pus and tissue necrosis.

Animal care

During therapy, remove the water after each feeding. Isolate kittens from your pet and tape or bandage their nipples to prevent any attempt at feeding. A blanket or collar is useful for additional protection.

Use prescribed medications strictly according to the regimen recommended by your doctor. If the condition improves, do not stop taking the medication without your veterinarian's approval. After surgery, lubricate the wounds with Levomekol and keep the dressings clean. If there is pus or blood, treat the glands daily with Chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide.

Symptoms: how to recognize?

A kitten's slow growth and inactivity are signs of swimmer's syndrome.
Clinical signs of swimmer's syndrome in kittens are:

• irregularly shaped chest;
• hole behind the shoulder blades;
• difficult, rapid breathing;
• inactivity;
• slow growth, weight loss;
• does not eat milk well;
• legs spread;
• The ribs look like a shell; people call it “turtle chest.”

Symptoms to watch out for

Kittens with the condition are often happy, alert and active unless the deformity is very severe, and when they survive as they mature, their symptoms are often less obvious than when they were born. With that said, signs of a problem often include the following:

• Weight problems
• Weight loss
• vomit
• Reluctance to play or exercise
• Depression/lethargy
• Difficulty sucking on the part of their mother
• Difficulty breathing/heavy breathing
• coughing
• Tachypnea
• Heart murmurs
• Recurrent lower respiratory tract infections
• Cyanosis

It's worth noting that when a kitten has the condition, they often develop loose legs, which are called "swimmers." If the kitten has also developed pectus feces, they may also have a pericardial diaphragmatic hernia.

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Treatment of syndrome in kittens

Dangerous age is from 3 weeks to 4 months. Kittens die within a month from lack of oxygen. At 16 weeks, they die from compression of parts of the body, in which the lungs cannot fully function. If kittens survive this period, then as they grow older, the chest deformation becomes less noticeable. Swimmer's syndrome will disappear and the pet will be no different from other animals. In the future, no one will know that the cat had a flattened chest as a child.

Treatment most often consists of a course of massage. The kitten should not lie on its tummy, only on its side. If diaphragmatic spasm occurs, it is necessary to pinch the bundle of muscles running from the neck to the shoulder. The spasm will be eliminated instantly; you will have to do this every time until the deformity is corrected. Sometimes the baby will need to be placed in a special corset. This will help the lungs work normally, and the thoracic part of the body will be expanded. But only a doctor should prescribe a corset.

Until 2010, the cause of flat chest was considered to be spasm of the intercostal muscles.

Kitten flat chest syndrome

Flat chested kitten syndrome (FCKS) is a condition in which kittens develop chest compression caused by a collapsed lung. This is a problem that is not caused by vertebral or bone malformations; however, collapsed lung may be a secondary symptom caused by bony deformation affecting the rib cage. In mild cases, the lower part of the breast becomes flattened (hence the name of the condition); in extreme cases, the entire chest is flattened, as if a kitten had been stepped on.

Causes and diagnosis

This syndrome is most often caused by collapse of the lungs (previously it was believed that the syndrome is associated with muscle spasm of the intercostal muscles). There are many causes of lung collapse and therefore many causes for FCKS. One possible cause of flat chests that develop soon after birth is atelectasis.

Causes of atelectasis include insufficient breathing efforts in the newborn, bronchial obstruction, or lack of surfactant (a substance secreted by the alveoli that coats the lungs and prevents the surfaces from sticking together). When a surfactant deficiency is severe, the surface area available for effective gas exchange is reduced and the lung collapses. There can be many causes for atelectasis in kittens, but probably the most common cause is prematurity. Neonatal atelectasis is more common in kittens from large litters, where the size of the litter may cause all kittens to be small and underdeveloped.

Unlike human babies, kittens are born very immature: blind, deaf, intestines not fully developed, etc., so even slight prematurity can lead to non-viability. Pulmonary atelectasis means that part of the lung is not functioning properly. If the kitten goes to sleep and its breathing rate decreases, the areas of atelectasis may slowly expand until large areas of the lung disappear and cannot be re-inhaled.

Fluid in the lungs or infection can also cause airway obstruction, which may explain the development of atelectasis in older kittens that are not developed enough to breathe even with small amounts of mucus in the trachea/bronchial tubes.

The clinical picture includes flattening of the lower rib cage in mild cases (usually a “ridge” is felt on the sides of the rib cage, running parallel to the spine); full alignment of the upper body in extreme cases (the kitten looks like it has been stepped on); moderate or excessive effort and/or choking while breathing. Blue discoloration (cyanosis) of the lips, tongue, and depression may also appear.

View of a normal chest in cats of different breeds

Various types and degrees of chest deformation in flat chest syndrome

Determining whether a kitten has FCKS or not can be difficult with text descriptions alone: ​​when the deformity is mild, the chest can sometimes be compared to the shape of a banana when held with the curvature down; the rib cage is not fixed in place and the most noticeable effect in mild cases is the rib on the sides of the rib cage.

This condition results in cessation of weight gain, respiratory failure, inability to eat normally and, in a significant proportion of cases, death.

Flat chest syndrome is often misdiagnosed as Pectus excavatum, to which it is not directly related, although FCKS kittens may also have PE. The latter disease is thought to be more common in the Burmese breed, it occurs in all cat breeds, including mongrel domestic cats, and the apparent prevalence among Burmese is most likely due to better communication between breeders and veterinarians.

Treatment

Treatment of this pathology is difficult given the number of different causes and the wealth of anecdotal information collected by and from breeders. Until now, therapy has been based on the assumption that FCKS is caused by a muscle spasm, and its effectiveness cannot be assessed because some kittens recover spontaneously without intervention.

Continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) is used in children with collapsed lungs, but this is not possible with kittens. It is possible that the success of some breeders in treating kittens by splinting the body, thereby putting pressure on the chest, was successful because it created a positive air pressure effect, thus gradually inflating the lungs. Applying a so-called splint, i.e. Keeping the kitten in a specially designed corset made of rigid material helps move the chest into a more correct position, which can help the lungs “inflate.” However, the majority of kittens cannot tolerate a splint and the discomfort it causes is extremely counterproductive, it can also be dangerous in cases where pressure on the sides causes the sternum to deform inward rather than outward, and should only be done with veterinary support.

Some kittens recover without intervention, so it is unknown whether various treatments based on stimulating the chest wall to return to its normal shape contributed to recovery.

From drug therapy, there is information on the use of steroids and antibiotics as an attempt to eliminate the infectious process in the chest cavity. But there are too few studies on the use of these drugs in FCKS.

Prognosis and survival

A good indicator is the kitten's weight: those who continue to gain weight tend to have a better chance of survival. Therefore, additional nutrition is recommended in all cases. Another indicator of the severity of the case is the use of the abdomen when breathing: normal kittens use only the chest, a flat-chested kitten may breathe only using the chest or use the abdomen with each breath - in the latter case the likelihood of survival is lower. If the condition is stable (that is, the flatness does not increase over time) or improves, the kitten is more likely to survive. If the condition worsens over several days, survival is less likely.

FCKS kittens that survive but receive no drug treatment or support other than supplemental nutrition typically recover within 4–10 weeks and are usually fully rehabilitated by 12 weeks of age, although some take up to 6 months. In the very small number of kittens reported so far treated with steroids and antibiotics, recovery is usually observed within a few days. Given the number of different types of FCKS, these kittens (all with minor disease) may not be representative of all cases. More data is required for statistical analysis.

A small proportion of severely affected kittens with FCKS are left with long-term respiratory problems, kyphosis and in some cases cardiac problems caused by chest compression early in development (especially when this condition is combined with Pectus Excavatum). Cardiac problems are usually detected by physical examination; further signs include the kitten becoming short of breath after exercise, becoming less active than its siblings, and being unable to grow and develop normally.

If there is any suspicion of chest deformation in a kitten, you must immediately show the animal to a veterinarian.

Veterinary doctor of the hospital SVK "Svoy Doctor" branch Dzerzhinsky Proskuryakova Y.V..

Maintenance and care

Until the pet's muscles have become stronger and it moves poorly, it is recommended to massage the chest.
A kitten with swimmer's syndrome needs to have its chest massaged every day; after a few days, it will be noticeable that the ribs on the sides will begin to smooth out. The main thing is to help the baby get on his feet, then he will move and the muscles will begin to strengthen. You can make barriers in their home so that the kitten can overcome the barrier. Try to place your small pet on its side to sleep, increasing the time it stays in this position; a compressed chest prevents you from breathing fully.

The veterinarian will prescribe a corset that will help the baby breathe normally. The doctor will recommend the use of antibiotics. This promotes the development of the animal and will help get rid of possible infections. Drug therapy will help to gain weight, the pet will begin to eat well. If you take full care of a sick kitten, you can get results within a few days. If you don’t work hard, it will take 3 months.

Survival and long-term prognosis [edit | edit code ]

It is difficult to determine whether a kitten with flat chest syndrome will survive. A good indicator is the kitten's weight: those that continue to gain weight generally have the best chance. Enhanced feeding is therefore recommended in all cases in combination with vitamin supplements, although not all kittens will accept hand feeding. Liquid paraffin for colic relief is important for normal nutrition and weight gain.

An indicator of the severity of the case is the use of the kitten’s abdomen during breathing; the norm is breathing only using the rib frame. In this case, a kitten suffering from flat chest may be able to breathe only through the rib cage. If he sucks in his stomach while breathing, then the chances of a successful outcome are less. But even in this case there are no sufficient grounds for euthanasia. If the condition is stable (ie, flat chest is not progressing) or improvement is observed, there is a greater chance of survival.

Researchers note two critical time points in the development of the syndrome: 10 days and 3 weeks. In most cases, if a kitten that retains signs of flat chest overcomes the 3-week barrier, the further prognosis is favorable. By this point, many kittens have already managed to get rid of the syndrome. Those who fail to do so by 3 weeks of age recover over the next 6 months. The vast majority of surviving kittens live normal lives without adverse physical or immunological consequences.

The recovery process without treatment, but only on enhanced nutrition, usually takes from 4 to 10-12 weeks. In the case of using a steroid, antibiotic and liquid paraffin (for colic), recovery is usually a matter of a few days.

A small proportion of kittens with severe syndrome continue to have respiratory problems, may develop a hump, and in some cases have cardiac problems caused by early chest compression (especially if the syndrome is accompanied by pectus excavatum). Cardiac problems are revealed during a physical examination; in addition, the kitten breathes heavily after playing, is less active compared to its peers, and is stunted in growth and development.

Reasons [edit | edit code ]

Genetic [edit | edit code ]

In some cases (especially when the entire litter is affected), flat chest is caused by genetic factors: some families are known to have an increased incidence of the syndrome, and inbreeding is often the cause. Individual cases are most likely associated with environmental factors or some prematurity of the offspring, and even in cases where we are talking about all kittens in the litter, flat chest, however, may not have a genetic cause. Thus, in the case of parents who had flat-chested kittens in one litter, the syndrome is often not observed in subsequent litters. Additionally, similarly, their recovered flat-chested kittens, when mated, do not necessarily produce flat-chested offspring.

Development-related [ edit | edit code ]

It is possible that pulmonary deformity in newborns (i.e., approximately 3 days old) is associated with a lack of surfactant, a film that covers the inner surfaces of the lungs, protecting the inner surfaces of the alveoli from sticking together. (The causes of surfactant deficiency are not the subject of this article; the role of surfactant is explored in a number of articles in the British Journal of Anesthetics, Issue 65, 1990). Kittens are born in many respects not ready for independent life, and full filling of the lungs with air does not occur immediately, but gradually over several days after birth (about 3 days). At the same time, the kitten can look active and healthy. Thus, if the lungs are not fully filled with air, the negative pressure arising in the chest cavity causes the rib cage, which at this stage is very flexible, to deform inward. That is, it is not the intercostal muscles that spasm, squeezing the lungs, as was previously thought, but rather the lungs that are not filled enough with air pull the ribs inward.

Infectious [edit | edit code ]

Both postpartum and later deformation of the lungs can be caused by a pulmonary infection or improper functioning of the epiglottis, which leads to inhaled air entering the digestive tract rather than the lungs. Such a short-term disturbance can become fixed in the form of resulting colic, creating a feedback loop that interrupts the process of normal breathing.

An autopsy and pulmonary aspirate analysis performed in the United States showed the presence of herpes virus.

Diaphragmatic spasm [edit | edit code ]

Spasm of the diaphragm leads to the fact that the muscle seems to jam in such a way that all the respiratory effort falls on the intercostal muscles. The resulting loss of motor function causes the lungs to gradually deflate. This case is easily diagnosed and treated (see Treatment below) by short-term clamping of the phrenic nerve.

Colic [edit | edit code ]

It is also possible that a kitten having difficulty breathing may be suffering from colic (which can lead to weight loss early in development). A small dose of liquid paraffin (one or two drops, 0.1 ml on the tongue once or twice a day) should relieve this problem. Flat-chested kittens that do not gain weight usually die, but many may be unable to feed normally simply because of colic, and progressive weakening and decline appears to be due to both malnutrition and chest problems.

Colic has many causes, but a kitten having trouble breathing may be getting air into the stomach instead of the lungs. Thus, the gastrointestinal tract is filled with air, while the lungs do not receive enough air and, thus, are not filled completely. Pressure from the abdomen makes the situation worse. Treatment of colic with liquid paraffin shortens the recovery period from 4 to 10 weeks to several days.

Treatment [edit | edit code ]

The difficulty in determining the correct treatment method is due to the variety of cases, as well as the large amount of unreliable information. Until now, prescribed treatment has been based on the assumption that flat chest is caused by muscle spasm. The effectiveness of this treatment cannot be assessed because some kittens recovered on their own without intervention.

Diaphragmatic spasm is easily identified and treated by briefly compressing the phrenic nerve. The nerve runs down the outside of the neck in a bundle of muscles and ligaments where the neck meets the shoulder. Each time in case of diaphragmatic spasm, you should lightly pinch the bundle for a few seconds. In this case, in kittens with flat chested spasmodic nature, almost instantaneous correction is observed, however, it may be necessary to repeat the treatment several times over several days, since the spasm tends to recur.

Positive continuous airway pressure is used in cases of lung deformation in a human child, but this method is not applicable to kittens. It was possible to successfully create the effect of positive continuous pressure in the respiratory tract by applying splints to the torso, thus producing pressure on the rib cage. This gradually inflated the lungs by pulling them into a more open position, as opposed to pushing them into a more open position in the case of positive continuous airway pressure.