Primary bronchotomy for removal of a distal bronchial foreign body in a cat

Case summary: A 3-year-old, spayed female domestic shorthair cat was presented for acute onset cough and dyspnoea. Thoracic radiography revealed a radiopaque foreign body proximally in the right caudal main bronchus. Initial attempts at endoscopic retrieval using a flexible bronchoscope were unsuccessful, as the foreign body migrated progressively distally into the right caudal lobe bronchus, precluding bronchoscopic removal. The cat subsequently underwent a right fifth intercostal-space lateral thoracotomy. A primary bronchotomy was performed to retrieve a small stone, and the bronchus was closed with a single-layer, simple interrupted pattern, using monofilament suture. Postoperative management included analgesia, antibiotics and restricted activity. The cat recovered uneventfully. At a 15-day follow-up, clinical signs had resolved and the cat remained in good general condition. Relevance and novel information: Tracheobronchial foreign bodies are uncommon in feline patients, and reports describing primary bronchotomy for their removal are limited in dogs and non-existent in cats. Although bronchoscopic extraction is generally favoured because of its minimally invasive nature, this case illustrates a scenario in which surgical intervention is indicated, particularly when endoscopic access is compromised by distal migration of the foreign body or a narrow bronchial lumen. This report details the surgical approach, intraoperative management and postoperative care after primary bronchotomy in a cat. The findings provide practical guidance for veterinary surgeons confronted with similar cases and contribute to the scarce literature on surgical management of bronchial foreign bodies in cats.