Clinical diagnosis and management of pleural effusion in dogs

Abstract

Pleural effusion is a life-threatening condition in dogs that can lead to acute respiratory distress if not promptly diagnosed and treated. These case series describe three dogs were presented with sudden onset of severe respiratory distress signs. A three-year-old male Great Dane, five-year-old male German shepherd and a six-year-old female indie dog were presented with rapid open mouth breathing, cyanosis of the tongue and marked respiratory distress. Immediate clinical examination suggested thoracic involvement, and later chest radiograph was taken to assess the thoracic cavity, lungs and heart. Radiographic findings revealed increases soft tissue opacity in thoracic cavity, border effacement of the cardiac silhouette and rounding of lung lobes leading to diagnosis of the pleural effusion. Emergency thoracocentesis performed in all cases resulting in rapid clinical improvement and stabilization of animals. These case reports highlight the importance of rapid recognition of clinical signs, the diagnostic value of the thoracic radiography, and the life-saving role of the thoracocentesis in the management of pleural effusion in dogs.