Resolution of persistent pneumothorax by use of blood pleurodesis in a dog after surgical correction of a diaphragmatic hernia.
METHODS
A 15-kg (33-lb) pregnant female mixed-breed dog of unknown age was referred because of a 10-day history of difficulty breathing.


RESULTS
Physical examination findings were dyspnea, tachypnea, decreased bronchovesicular sounds (bilateral), muffled heart sounds, and abdominal distention with palpable fetuses. Hematologic abnormalities included anemia, leukocytosis, and thrombocytosis. Abnormalities detected during serum biochemical analysis included decreases in concentrations of albumin, sodium, triglycerides, and total calcium and increases in activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase. Thoracic radiography revealed a diaphragmatic hernia with fetuses and a soft tissue or fluid opacity within the thoracic cavity.


RESULTS
Exploratory celiotomy, ovariohysterectomy, partial sternotomy, placement of a right-sided thoracostomy tube, and herniorrhaphy were performed. After surgery, pneumothorax developed, and the thoracostomy tube was used to remove pleural effusion and free air. The pneumothorax did not resolve after continuous drainage of the thoracic cavity for 4 days. Autologous blood pleurodesis was performed by infusion of 80 mL (6 mL/kg [2.73 mL/lb]) of whole blood. The pneumothorax resolved immediately after injection of the blood.


CONCLUSIONS
Blood pleurodesis was used for resolution of pneumothorax in a dog after correction of a diaphragmatic hernia. Blood pleurodesis may provide a simple, safe, and inexpensive medical treatment for resolution of persistent (duration>5 days) pneumothorax when surgery is not an option.
Merbl
Yael
Y
Department of Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
Kelmer
Efrat
E
Shipov
Anna
A
Golani
Yael
Y
Segev
Gilad
G
Yudelevitch
Sigal
S
Klainbart
Sigal
S
D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D018700:Pleurodesis / Q000662:veterinary*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011247:Pregnancy