Fatal reexpansion pulmonary edema in a kitten following surgical correction of pectus excavatum

Fulminant, fatal pulmonary edema developed in an eight-week-old kitten following external splint correction of severe pectus excavatum. History, signalment, onset of clinical signs, and gross pathological findings were most compatible with a diagnosis of reexpansion pulmonary edema (RPE). This report presents case findings and a literature review of RPE.