Pneumothorax in Dogs

Pneumothorax in Dogs

By: Dr. Anne Marie Manning

Section: Overview

Pneumothorax is the abnormal presence of air within the chest cavity, which restricts the lungs from inflating normally during inhalation. Air is normally confined to spaces within the lungs.

Pneumothorax can be sub-divided into the following categories:

  • Open pneumothorax – occurs when a penetrating chest wound allows outside air to enter the pleural space

  • Closed pneumothorax – occurs when the source for the introduction of air into the intrapleural space has closed so that no more air can enter.

  • Tension pneumothorax – occurs when air fills the chest cavity with each breath and is not allowed to exit (a one-way valve effect)

  • Spontaneous pneumothorax – a closed pneumothorax that occurs unexpectedly; no trauma is involved.


  • Traumatic pneumothorax – pneumothorax resulting from traumatic injury to the chest

    General Causes

    Pneumothorax can be the result of any of the following:

  • Perforation of the chest wall secondary to bite wounds, automobile accidents, gunshot wounds, stab wounds, or other penetrating injuries

  • Rupture of a pulmonary (lung) cyst, bullae (cyst-like structure within the lungs) or bleb (tiny cyst-like structure on the outer surface of the lungs) that occurs spontaneously. This type of pneumothorax is more common in older animals.

  • Rupture of a bronchus (main airway)

  • Rupture of the trachea (the windpipe)

  • Rupture of the esophagus

  • Rupture of the lung tissue

  • Rupture of the mediastinum, which is a confined space within the chest cavity but independent of the lungs

    Dogs with pneumothorax exhibit difficulty breathing and, in severe cases that are left untreated, pneumothorax can be fatal.

    What to Watch For

  • Increase in the respiratory rate (more than 45 breaths per minute)
  • Labored breathing
  • Cyanotic (blue) gums or tongue
  • Intolerance to exercise

    Diagnosis

    Depending on how much difficulty breathing your dog is experiencing, your veterinarian may want to place him in an oxygen cage immediately before obtaining a history from you regarding his condition. Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination with careful auscultation (listening with a stethoscope) of your dog's chest to determine the cause of trouble breathing. Additionally, your veterinarian will likely recommend the following tests:

  • Chest radiographs (X-rays) to look for the presence of air in the chest cavity

  • Thoracocentesis, which is removal of air from the chest cavity with a needle and syringe.

  • Arterial blood gas, a test to evaluate the dog's ability to oxygenate

  • Pulse oximetry, a non-invasive test to determine the dog's ability to oxygenate

  • Complete blood count (CBC) to assess the dog's general health

  • Biochemistry profile to evaluate the internal organs such as the liver and kidneys

    Treatment

    Treatment of a pneumothorax may need to be done as an emergency procedure and may include any of the following:

  • Supplemental oxygen administration for dogs that are having difficulty breathing

  • Thoracocentesis to remove air from the chest cavity and to improve the dog's ability to breathe

  • Chest tube placement to allow larger amounts of air to be removed from the chest cavity more quickly or continuously

  • Thoracic surgery to repair large air leaks within the chest or to repair damage to the chest wall that may be present with traumatic injuries

    Home Care and Prevention

    Pets that show signs of difficulty breathing should be taken to your veterinarian immediately. Restrict exercise initially following discharge from the hospital.

    Keeping pets leashed or confined to the yard can reduce the risk of pneumothorax caused by traumatic injuries due to automobile accidents or attacks by other animals.

    There is no way to prevent a spontaneous pneumothorax from occurring.

     
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