Intra-thoracic pyogranulomatous disease in four working dogs.
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.
Doyle
J L
JL
Kaukapakapa Veterinary Services, Main Road, State Highway 16, Kaukapakapa, New Zealand. jenni.doyle@xtra.co.nz
Kuipers von Lande
R G
RG
Worth
A J
AJ
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
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents