A 10‐year‐old, neutered, male Pitbull was presented to the oncology service with dyspnoea, approximately 16 months after treatment with amputation and chemotherapy for appendicular osteosarcoma, and 4 months after development of diffuse pulmonary metastatic disease. Thoracic radiographs diagnosed bilateral pneumothorax, presumed secondary to metastatic osteosarcoma. The pneumothorax was refractory to conservative management, and two autologous blood patch pleurodesis procedures were performed 48 hours apart, according to a previously published protocol. Marked radiographic improvement was evident within 24 hours of the autologous blood patch pleurodesis procedures, and the dog was discharged 6 days after initial presentation. Approximately 13 weeks later, the dog was humanely euthanased due to progressive clinical signs. This report describes the development of spontaneous persistent pneumothorax secondary to osteosarcoma metastatic disease in a dog, and its palliation with autologous blood patch pleurodesis. This case demonstrates that autologous blood patch pleurodesis can be considered as a treatment option for pneumothorax secondary to metastatic disease in dogs.

Background Manufacturers of point‐of‐care (POC) analyzers recommend immediate processing and anaerobic collection of blood samples. However, it is not uncommon for clinical scenarios to result in delayed sample processing or room air exposure that could impact the test results. Objective To investigate the effect of time delay and sample storage method on key POC analytes in canine venous blood samples processed with an Element POC analyzer. Methods Blood gas analysis was performed on venous blood samples at times 0 (T0), 15, 30, and 60 minutes after sampling using three different storage methods: preheparinized plastic syringes and two different lithium heparin tubes. To determine clinical relevance, results were compared with allowable total error of the respective parameter. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Results Significant differences between the three storage methods at baseline were found for partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), partial pressure of oxygen (PO2), base excess, and total hemoglobin. No significant differences up to T60 were found within collection methods for actual bicarbonate (HCO3−), base excess, sodium, potassium, chloride, ionized calcium (iCa), glucose, and BUN. Significant differences within collection methods were found after T0 for creatinine, after 15 minutes for lactate, and after 30 minutes for pH and hematocrit. No significant differences were found for PO2 in samples stored in preheparinized plastic syringes at any time point. Conclusions These results suggest that HCO3−, sodium, potassium, chloride, iCa, glucose, and BUN are comparable within the three storage methods for up to 60 minutes after sampling without resulting in clinically relevant changes.