The chest tube tends to be a last resort because it is VERY painful for the cat and therefore there has to be a constant supply of pain meds, and it makes kitty highly suceptible (sp?) to infections because it leaves an open would to the outside exposed at all times. Also, chances are, the cat would have to wear a cone, which is usually high stress

I talked to my vet about it, and Bassett's surgeon, and they both were pretty against it.