Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Spontaneous collapsed lung in dog after treated heartworm disease
By Gardiner, Destinee et al.·Published in Topics in companion animal medicine·2024·Critical Care, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Spontaneous pneumothorax in a dog with a history of successfully treated heartworm disease: A case report.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old female spayed German Shepherd mix was brought in for breathing problems caused by a spontaneous pneumothorax, which is when air leaks into the space around the lungs. This dog had a history of heartworm disease that had been treated successfully before her adoption. Despite efforts to treat the pneumothorax, including surgery, the dog's lungs did not respond well, and she was euthanized during the procedure due to a poor prognosis. The examination revealed chronic lung changes related to her past heartworm infection, but no cancer or infections were found.
People also search for: dog breathing problems · German Shepherd heartworm treatment · spontaneous pneumothorax in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe a dog presented with spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to chronic pulmonary changes associated with a history of resolved canine heartworm disease. CASE OR SERIES SUMMARY: A 7-year-old 25.2kg female spayed German Shepherd mix was presented for management of spontaneous pneumothorax. The dog had a history of heartworm disease that underwent therapy prior to adoption, and the dog was heartworm antigen negative (SNAP 4Dx) during hospitalization for the pneumothorax. An exploratory thoracotomy was performed due to an unresolving pneumothorax requiring multiple thoracocenteses. Perioperatively, the lungs did not expand with positive pressure ventilation and diffuse, multifocal to coalescing areas of darkened tissue that were grossly consistent with necrosis and/or hemorrhage were noted. The dog was euthanized intraoperatively due to an assumed poor prognosis. Histopathologic examination findings were consistent with chronic reactive changes related to previous heartworm infection. No neoplastic or infectious etiologies were identified. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: Spontaneous pneumothorax is a known complication of active heartworm infection. However, this case represents the first report of spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to chronic pulmonary changes caused by resolved heartworm infection.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37979616/