title: Intra-thoracic pyogranulomatous disease in four working dogs.
abstract: METHODS
  Four working dogs were presented to veterinary clinics in New Zealand for weight loss or swelling of the thoracic wall. All dogs were large-breed males between the ages of 4 and 7 years, and actively involved in farm work. The two dogs with swelling of the thoracic wall had recent histories of work-related trauma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All four dogs were diagnosed with intra-thoracic pyogranulomatous disease via diagnostic imaging and surgical exploration. Two dogs had confirmed infection with Actinomyces viscosus, while a third had suspected Actinomyces or Nocardia spp. infection. The fourth dog had a streptococcal infection, and a grass-seed foreign body was removed at surgery. Two dogs successfully returned to work, however euthanasia was requested by the owners of the other two, either during surgery, due to intra-thoracic haemorrhage, or shortly after, with post-operative meningitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to the high value of working dogs in New Zealand, and the higher-than-average risk profile for intra-thoracic pyogranulomatous disease, veterinarians should be aware of this syndrome, and should seek to appropriately diagnose and aggressively treat it surgically.
authors: Kaukapakapa Veterinary Services, Main Road, State Highway 16, Kaukapakapa, New Zealand. jenni.doyle@xtra.co.nz
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Doyle
authors: R G
authors: RG
authors: Kuipers von Lande
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Worth
mesh_terms: D016924:Actinomyces viscosus; D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D009615:Nocardia; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014937:Work
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents