Hemothorax in 2 horses.
This report documents the successful conservative medical management of hemothorax in 2 horses. Hemothorax occurred after a lung biopsy procedure (horse 1) and strenuous exercise on a treadmill (horse 2). The horses had tachypnea, tachycardia, nostril flaring, hemoptysis, and pawing. Hemothorax was suspected based upon absence of auscultable ventral lung sounds; development of cool extremities and pale, tacky mucous membranes; the ultrasonographic appearance of moderate to severe amounts of pleural fluid; and a concurrent decrease in hematocrit and total plasma protein. Both horses were treated successfully by intranasal administration of oxygen, intravenous administration of balanced polyionic solutions, and treatment with antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and analgesics. In neither case was pleural blood removed. The hemothorax resolved in both horses without lasting abnormalities. Hemothorax does not require drainage for successful resolution.
Perkins
G
G
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. gap7@cornell.edu
Ainsworth
D M
DM
Yeager
A
A
D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010100:Oxygen