Use of rutin for medical management of idiopathic chylothorax in four cats.

Four cats with idiopathic chylothorax were given rutin. Three of the 4 cats had clinical improvement, and complete resolution of chylous effusion was evident in 2 cats. Idiopathic chylothorax in cats is a condition that may be difficult to resolve with medical or surgical treatment. Currently, thoracic duct ligation is considered the preferred technique, but expense and a guarded prognosis for resolution may make this procedure undesirable to cat owners. Rutin administration may offer an alternative to traditional treatments or may be useful as an adjunctive treatment.