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Objective: To compare short-term outcomes between dogs undergoing lung lobectomy via median sternotomy (MS) or intercostal thoracotomy (ICT).Study design: Retrospective case control study.Methods: Medical records of dogs that underwent lung lobectomy via MS or ICT at a single institution were reviewed for demographics, intraoperative findings, and postoperative management and outcomes. Dogs with pleural effusion, pneumonia, migrating foreign body, lung abscess, spontaneous pneumothorax, or lung lobe torsion were excluded. Short-term outcome factors up were compared up to the time of death, euthanasia, or discharge from the hospital.Results: One hundred and thirty-four dogs met the inclusion criteria. Forty-one (31%) dogs underwent MS and 93 dogs (69%) underwent ICT. Fluid production from the chest tube (P 5 .0061), alveolar arterial pressure gradient (P 5 .0001), and complications requiring intervention (P 5 .0245) were more common in the MS group than the ICT group. Pain management and all other short-term outcome factors did not differ between procedures. Five dogs from the MS group and 4 from the ICT group were euthanized in the postoperative period (P 5 .0925). Conclusion:In a surgical procedure that does not preclude either approach, ICT may be more desirable than MS in terms of postoperative pain, oxygenation, and complications. However, since no other short-term measure of outcome differed, we can state that both MS and ICT are well tolerated by dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether left atrial decompression (LAD) would reduce left atrial pressure (LAP) in dogs with advanced myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and left-sided congestive heart failure (CHF) and to describe the LAD procedure and hemodynamic alterations and complications. ANIMALS 17 dogs with advanced MMVD and left-sided CHF that underwent LAD. PROCEDURES The medical record database was retrospectively reviewed for all LAD procedures attempted in dogs with MMVD and left-sided CHF between October 2018 and June 2019. Data were collected regarding signalment (age, breed, weight, and sex), clinical signs, treatment, physical examination findings, and diagnostic testing before and after LAD. Procedural data were also collected including approach, technique, hemodynamic data, complications, and outcome. RESULTS 18 LAD procedures performed in 17 patients were identified. Dogs ranged in age from 7.5 to 16 years old (median, 11 years) and ranged in body weight from 2.9 to 11.6 kg (6.4 to 25.5 lb) with a median body weight of 7.0 kg (15.4 lb). Minimally invasive creation of an atrial septal defect for the purpose of LAD was successful in all dogs without any intraoperative deaths. Before LAD, mean LAP was elevated and ranged from 8 to 32 mm Hg with a median value of 14 mm Hg (reference value, < 10 mm Hg). Following LAD, there was a significant decrease in mean LAP (median decrease of 6 mm Hg [range, 1 to 15 mm Hg]). Survival time following LAD ranged from 0 to 478 days (median, 195 days). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE For dogs with advanced MMVD and left-sided CHF, LAD resulted in an immediate and substantial reduction in LAP.

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