Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Outcomes of medical treatment for pyothorax in 46 dogs
By Boothe, Harry W et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2010·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of outcomes in dogs treated for pyothorax: 46 cases (1983-2001).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 46 dogs with pyothorax, a serious condition where pus accumulates in the chest cavity, were treated to see which methods worked best. Treatments included antibiotics, draining the fluid with a tube, and surgery. The results showed that dogs who had surgery or received pleural lavage (flushing the chest) with heparin had better chances of surviving both in the short and long term. However, some dogs still faced complications, and the study found that the initial choice of antibiotics could sometimes be ineffective. Overall, surgery and specific treatments improved survival rates significantly.
People also search for: dog pyothorax treatment · dog chest fluid drainage · pyothorax surgery recovery
Abstract
OBJECTIVE-To determine the effect of treatment approach on outcome and the appropriateness of initial empirical antimicrobial treatment in dogs with pyothorax. DESIGN-Retrospective case series. ANIMALS-46 dogs with pyothorax confirmed by either (n = 15) or both (31) of the following: intracellular bacteria in pleural fluid or tissue (41) and bacteria recovered via culture of pleural fluid (36). PROCEDURES-Medical records of dogs treated for pyothorax from 1983 through 2001 were reviewed. Data on signalment, history, clinical signs, and treatment and results of diagnostic imaging and cytologic and microbiological evaluations were obtained. Follow-up was performed via reexamination (n = 15) and contact with referring veterinarians (26) and owners (24). RESULTS-46 dogs were treated with at least 1 antimicrobial and thoracocentesis (n = 7; noninvasive group), a thoracostomy tube (26; invasive group) with or without pleural lavage and heparin, or a thoracotomy (13; surgical group) and thoracostomy tube with or without pleural lavage and heparin. Pyothorax recurred in 7 dogs, and 5 of the 7 died or were euthanatized. In the respective groups, the short-term survival rate was 29%, 77%, and 92% and the long-term survival rate was 29%, 71%, and 70%. Pleural lavage and heparin treatment increased the likelihood of short- and long-term survival. Results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing suggested empirical antimicrobial selection was associated with a 35% risk of inefficacy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE-In the dogs with pyothorax in this study, favorable treatment effects were achieved with surgery (for short-term survival) and pleural lavage and heparin treatment (for short- and long-term survival). Findings failed to support the hypothesis that invasive (surgical) versus noninvasive treatment of pyothorax in dogs leads to a better long-term outcome.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20225978/