Diagnosing and treating haemothorax in dogs and cats

Abstract

Background: Cases of haemothorax are seen in primary practice. Given the range of potential aetiologies, a structured approach to diagnosis is important.Aim of the article: This article reviews the causes of haemothorax and outlines the approach to diagnosing this condition in practice, as well as how to treat cases.

Non‐coagulopathic hemothorax in a dog: A case report

“…The causes for non‐coagulopathic hemothorax include trauma and spontaneous etiologies. The most common traumatic injuries reported are road traffic collision, penetrating injury, crush/compression injury, acceleration or deceleration injury and iatrogenic 2 . The evidence of possible trauma for our patient was the history of running out of view and yelping prior to returning to the owner and the area of ecchymosis with focal area of suspected devitalized tissue.…”

“…The most common traumatic injuries reported are road traffic collision, penetrating injury, crush/compression injury, acceleration or deceleration injury and iatrogenic. 2 The evidence of possible trauma for our patient was the history of running out of view and yelping prior to returning to the owner and the area of ecchymosis with focal area of suspected devitalized tissue. A traumatic hemothorax was initially deemed less likely given the patient was only out of view momentarily with no obvious cause for the trauma, nor lacerations.…”

“…Spontaneous, non‐coagulopathic causes of hemothorax include neoplasia (osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, mesothelioma, pulmonary carcinoma, and metastatic ovarian carcinoma), 2 lung lobe torsion, 4 infectious diseases ( Dirofilaria immitis, 6 Streptococcus zooepidemicus, 7 Angiostrongylus vasorum 8 and Spirocera lupi 4 ), thymic hemorrhage, 9 Ehlers–Danlos syndrome 10 and pancreatitis 4…”

“…Tachypnea can be recognized after accumulation of 20 ml/kg of pleural fluid. 2 A rapid diagnosis of pleural effusion can be established with thoracic POCUS. The patient had a large hyperechoic structure in the pleural space adjacent to the heart that was presumed to be a mass or hematoma.…”

“…The patient's pleural effusion was initially suspected based on auscultation of muffled heart sounds, decreased lung sounds and tachypnea. Tachypnea can be recognized after accumulation of 20 ml/kg of pleural fluid 2 . A rapid diagnosis of pleural effusion can be established with thoracic POCUS.…”