Rare Lung Condition Linked to Mineral Oil Use in Constipated Cats: A New Veterinary Insight

Dystrophic Mineralisation in Chronic Exogenous Lipid Pneumonia in Cats

Claudia Mallol, Yvonne Espada, Albert Lloret, Raúl Altuzarra, Carlo Anselmi, Rosa Novellas

Background:
Exogenous lipid pneumonia (ELP) is a rare condition in cats, usually caused by aspiration of oily substances like mineral oil, commonly used for constipation. The disease manifests through non-specific respiratory symptoms or may be subclinical. While ELP has been occasionally reported in veterinary literature, this study is the first to document dystrophic mineralisation of the lung parenchyma associated with ELP in cats and to describe its CT imaging features.

Methods:
This case series describes three cats diagnosed with ELP following long-term forced oral administration of mineral oil for chronic constipation. Diagnostic evaluations included radiographs, CT imaging, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytology. Clinical outcomes were monitored over months to years.

Results:
All three cats presented imaging findings consistent with aspiration pneumonia—specifically an alveolar pattern in the middle and cranial lung lobes. Over time, a distinctive mineralised ‘sponge-like’ pattern emerged in the previously affected lung regions. BAL in one case confirmed lipid-laden macrophages, supporting the diagnosis of ELP. CT imaging revealed fat-attenuating and mineral-attenuating areas in consolidated lung regions. Two cats displayed respiratory symptoms initially; one cat's findings were incidental with no history of respiratory distress.

Limitations:
This report is limited to a small number of cases (n=3), and lacks histopathological confirmation of mineralisation. Longitudinal imaging follow-up was limited in one case. Potential mycobacterial involvement, while deemed unlikely, was not fully excluded through advanced testing.

Conclusions:
Chronic administration of mineral oil can lead to ELP with subsequent dystrophic mineralisation in cats. Radiographic and CT features can aid in diagnosis. This study emphasizes that mineral oil poses significant risks and should not be used in feline constipation treatment. Clinicians should consider ELP in cats presenting with mineral opacities in dependent lung regions and a history of mineral oil use.

Disclaimer: The summary generated in this email was created by an AI large language model. Therefore errors may occur. Reading the article is the best way to understand the scholarly work. The figure presented here remains the property of the publisher or author and subject to the applicable copyright agreement. It is reproduced here as an educational work. If you have any questions or concerns about the work presented here, reply to this email.