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Blood in the Chest (Hemothorax) in Dogs
What is Blood in the Chest (Hemothorax)?
A case of blood in the chest can quickly escalate to an emergency. The accumulation of blood between the lung and the chest wall can cause pressure on the lungs along with respiratory distress because of the reduction in lung volume. Canines with blood in the chest can also experience accompanying pneumothorax (air or gas in the pleural space causing collapse of the lung), which leads to serious breathing difficulties. Removing fluid from the chest is the required treatment for this condition.
When blood accumulates in the chest (pleural cavity), it is called hemothorax. There are many causes for this condition, including coagulation disorders and trauma to the chest.
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Symptoms of Blood in the Chest (Hemothorax) in Dogs
If your dog has blood in the chest, they will have obvious symptoms that mean a visit to the veterinarian or a trip to the emergency clinic is imperative.
- Labored breathing (dyspnea)
- Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
- Lethargy
- Low tolerance to exercise
- Bluish skin and gums (cyanosis) due to poor oxygenation of the blood
- General malaise
Your pet could go into hypovolemic shock, which is when the heart is unable to pump an adequate amount of blood throughout the body. This can cause the organs to stop working. This typically happens when there is a loss of more than 1/5th of the blood or fluid supply for the body.
Causes of Blood in the Chest (Hemothorax) in Dogs
The build up of blood or fluid in the chest can lead to a life-threatening situation for your dog. Some of the causes that could lead to him becoming seriously ill are listed here.
- Trauma to the chest which causes the blood to flow freely into the pleural cavity
- Neoplasia (an abnormal growth of cells and tissues)
- A dysfunction in the process of stopping blood flow after injury
- A systemic coagulation disorder
- Ingestion of rat poisoning
- An interference with venous blood flow
- A problem with lymph drainage
Diagnosis of Blood in the Chest (Hemothorax) in Dogs
When you arrive at the veterinarian, you will be asked several questions in order to determine the problem. A thorough evaluation of your pet’s medical history is necessary.
- Has your dog been ill recently?
- How has his appetite been?
- How long has he been breathing abnormally?
- Have you travelled out of state or out of country lately with your pet?
- Has he had access to garbage, or has he free roamed in recent hours or days whereby he could have ingested a harmful substance?
The interview on the health and wellness of your canine family member will be followed by a clinical examination that will include the veterinarian listening to your dog's chest with a stethoscope in order to hear the sounds of the heart, lungs, and chest cavity. A series of tests and procedures will be in order, including a coagulation profile, a complete blood count, and hematology and biochemistry tests. Verification of PCV (packed cell volume) and TP (total protein) are normally done after trauma or ingestion of poison, for example, and will give information on anemia, dehydration and red blood cell damage. Also to be looked at will be electrolytes, urea and creatinine. Radiographs or ultrasound imaging may be necessary in order to view the lungs and chest.
Treatment of Blood in the Chest (Hemothorax) in Dogs
Once your veterinarian has examined your pet, she will know the condition of your dog and whether he requires emergency treatment. In most cases, hospitalisation, to ensure the animal is in stable condition is needed.
Thoracocentesis is a tool veterinarians use to diagnose blood in the chest; it is also used to treat the condition. Inserting a needle into the chest will help remove fluid and blood. This procedure is generally tolerated well by canines, without the need for sedation. This procedure can resolve the issue of the blood in the chest, and at the same time, fluid that has been withdrawn can in turn, be analysed in the cytology lab. This may help to determine the cause and give an indication as to whether there is an underlying problem.
Dogs that have been admitted in a crisis situation will need intensive care that could include the following approaches.
- Intravenous fluid therapy
- Blood transfusions
- Oxygen therapy
- Pain medication
- Vitamin K therapy (in the case of rodenticide poisoning)
- Surgery (often in times of a traumatic injury)
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Recovery of Blood in the Chest (Hemothorax) in Dogs
Once your pet has been released from the hospital, he will be sent home with strict instructions for rest. The oxygenation and thoracocentesis received in the clinic should have resolved the problem, but there is a chance of recurrence. In the case of rodent poisoning, the prognosis is usually very positive. Treatment for an underlying problem such as neoplasia may require follow- up as part of the protocol because drug therapy and surgery could be in order.
Blood in the Chest (Hemothorax) Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $1,500 - $10,000
Average Cost
$3,500
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Blood in the Chest (Hemothorax) Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Hungarian Vizsla
zac
11 Years
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Trouble Breathing
my dog (hungarian vizsla, 11 year old) has a haemothorax. Took him to vet last week because he was having trouble breathing and blood test came back positive for anaemia, no other abnormalities.
The vet did an ultrasound and chest X-rays and suspected haemangiosarcoma based off evidence of his pleural effusion (blood) alone. They did not detect any other abnormalities on the scans. The vet wanted to put him down but we didn't consent to this as we wanted to take him home to say goodbye to everyone.
It has been 4 days since his 'diagnosis' and he is still alive and acting normally (eating, drinking) other than some strained breathing and loss of energy (he is still walking around however just sleeping more during the day).
His condition has vastly improved since we took him home from the vet. The day before he started to show symptoms (trouble breathing) he was as energetic as ever. I am having trouble understanding how a chronic condition could present so acutely. He has not suffered any trauma and we are currently giving him vitamin K. Given his presentation and improving condition, do you think he could have haemangiosarcoma? If not, what else could it be, and what treatment is available to him?
May 27, 2018
5 Recommendations
Tumours like hemangiosarcoma can be like a ticking bomb as they may develop and grow with no symptoms, then one day they may rupture or start bleeding which leads to a sudden onset of symptoms and possibly death. Causes for hemothorax are typically cancer or traumatic injury, however other causes like coagulopathy or hemostatic issues may also cause blood in the chest cavity. Treatment would be dependent on the underlying cause so I cannot tell you anything specific; if you have concerns you should get a second opinion from another Veterinarian or visit a Specialist for a Consult. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
May 28, 2018
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Staffy Bull Pit
Dino
3 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Fluid In Abdomen
I have a 3 year old male pitbull he’s pretty hefty and stalky well recently he got into a fight with my other male American bully and I thought he was fine besides some cuts and scratched but I notice there is a sack of fluid that accumulated under his arm seems like a sack of water trough out the day it goes down but when he drink a lot of water it accumulates again? What must this be? He acts fine? He’s been eating fine and has solid poop.
Dec. 4, 2017
2 Recommendations
There may be an accumulation of fluid due to a blocked lymph node as there are lymph nodes under the armpit; I would have your Veterinarian check it out though to be on the safe side to make sure that there isn’t something more serious going on. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 4, 2017
Everything here is what the puppy has but he to young for transfusion an surgery an such they only gave him a shot of some medicine an it wore off in three hour he was most likely not supposed to make it threw the night but he did what do I do will he get better
April 20, 2018
Isaac H.
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Blood in the Chest (Hemothorax) Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $1,500 - $10,000
Average Cost
$3,500
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