What is Fluid in the Chest?
Many problems with respiratory function can result from fluid buildup in your dog’s chest. Examples of complications can include lack of room for lungs to expand, which causes restricted breathing, or lung collapse. On occasion, pleural effusion is found at a regular check up. Most often the issue is diagnosed at a time of respiratory distress. If you start to notice laboured breathing in your dog, or if your dog is having trouble keeping up his normal activity level, a veterinary visit is advised without delay.
Fluid in the chest in dogs is known in veterinary terms as pleural effusion. It's expected that there is a very small amount of fluid in the pleural space; but if there is a problem with drainage or an excess of production, the accumulation of fluid can cause a crisis situation for your pet.Fluid in the Chest Average Cost
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Symptoms of Fluid in the Chest in Dogs
Fluid in the chest is a somewhat common reason for abnormal respiratory function in dogs. Often resulting from an underlying condition, pleural effusion can cause the following symptoms:
Early pleural effusion meaning only a small amount of fluid has begun to accumulate:
- Showing a low tolerance to activity and exercise
- Lethargy and lower energy level than usual
Increasing pleural effusion as respiratory affliction is proliferating:
- Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
- Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
- Extension of neck as if trying to reach air
- Sitting or lying in an unusual position in an attempt to ease breathing
- Blue or pale gums, lips, or tongue (cyanosis) due to lack of oxygen in the blood
- Low body temperature (hypothermia)
- Shock
Depending on the underlying cause of the fluid accumulation, you may see fever, weight loss, mental dullness, depression, pale gums, or other symptoms that accompany the disorder.
Types
The types of fluid in the chest in dogs are classified in the following ways:
- Hydrothorax - (noninflammatory transudate) due to increased hydrostatic pressure, brought on by an elevated cell and protein content or decreased oncotic pressure, brought on by low albumin in the blood.
- Chylothorax - milky lymphatic fluid and chylomicrons containing a high concentrate of triglycerides accumulate.
- Hemothorax - blood accumulates in the pleural cavity.
- Pyothorax - accumulation of fluid due to an infection or growth.
Causes of Fluid in the Chest in Dogs
Fluid in the chest in dogs is a relatively common complication. There are a plethora of reasons that can lead to the accumulation of fluids; some of which are listed below:
- Hydrothorax - liver disease, malnutrition, malabsorption, right-sided heart failure, burns, chronic hemorrhaging, protein-losing nephropathy (kidney disease), protein-losing enteropathy (intestinal disease).
- Chylothorax - cancer, chronic vomiting, diaphragmatic hernia, twisted lung lobe, blood clot in chest veins, congenital defects.
- Hemothorax - trauma, lymphoma, pulmonary and chest wall tumors.
- Pyothorax - penetrating wounds, infection, pulmonary thromboembolism, heartworm, pneumonia, esophageal disease, complications from an underlying condition such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Diagnosis of Fluid in the Chest in Dogs
The veterinarian will begin the process of diagnosis after requesting a brief history from you in regards to your pet’s recent behavior and apparent health. Be sure to be as accurate and complete as possible in relaying information to the veterinarian. There are many diagnostic procedures used to identify this condition, and any information you can initially provide is extremely helpful.
Chances are, the veterinarian will hear muffled sounds in the lungs through the use of a stethoscope. Palpation of the abdomen may show pain is present. She may then decide to perform additional tests in order to pinpoint the cause of the problem.
A chest x-ray can reveal an accumulation of fluid in the thoracic cavity, and may show possible lung collapse, or evidence of heart disease or the growth of a tumour. Fluid may be obtained from the chest with the use of a needle, which is necessary when proceeding to identify the type of fluid in the chest. Draining the fluid away also forms part of the treatment plan. An ultrasound of the chest, and often including the abdomen, will be done to show the condition of the lungs and other organs. An ultrasound is also helpful when determining where the needle should be placed for removal of fluid.
A complete blood count, chemistry profile, and fungal titers test may be done, as well as a heartworm test. Results may show abnormalities in glucose, albumin or liver enzyme levels, for example. Urinalysis may show proteinuria. A coagulation profile may be done as well. Information from all of the completed tests will be used to determine the type and cause of the fluid buildup.
Treatment of Fluid in the Chest in Dogs
In order to resolve the issue of fluid in the chest, the cause, whether it be sudden or due to an underlying disease, must be determined. As an example, cancer will be additionally treated with chemotherapy and radiation after the fluid in the chest has been drained. Another example would be the need to treat and eliminate an infection through the use of antibiotics.
To start treatment for pleural effusion, the veterinarian will provide oxygen therapy in order to make your dog more comfortable. The chest will be drained by the insertion of a needle, along with suction through the placement of a chest drain. This may need to be in place for a few days.
Intravenous fluids may be required if your pet is dehydrated. At times, a surgical exploratory thoracotomy may be necessary to investigate the cause of the fluid buildup. A thoracotomy may be necessary for draining, or to perform a correctional procedure. Radiographs will be part of the treatment because it will be important to monitor how the chosen therapy is working.
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Recovery of Fluid in the Chest in Dogs
The prognosis of recovery will range from good to poor, depending on the cause and whether a serious underlying disease is found. If surgery was part of the treatment, your dog might remain in the hospital for 3 to 5 days, and the chest tube will need to remain in place until the fluid accumulation problem is under control.
When released from the hospital, your pet may require additional pain medication and/or antibiotics. Follow up appointments are an important part of the treatment for pleural effusion; radiographs and ultrasounds are often repeated to ensure that recovery is continuing.
The veterinarian will recommend any dietary changes required(such as a low fat, low sodium diet), and will advise you on exercise restrictions and for how long leash only outings are mandatory.
Fluid in the Chest Average Cost
From 9 quotes ranging from $1,200 - $6,000
Average Cost
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Fluid in the Chest Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Labrador Retriever
Gidget
10 Years
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My 10 year old lab was taken to ER and had moderate pleural effusion on the right side on 9/28. They removed 1.2L, analyzed the fluid which was non-infectious and non-cancerous. Blood work was normal, x-rays normal, organ function and enzymes normal, oxygen absorption normal. She was taken back on 10/12 with severe bilateral effusion and 1.8L of fluid was removed. Again, all tests were normal. Abdominal ultrasound performed on 10/18 and no masses or anything were seen. Some fluid has accumulated again, but not enough to tap that day. Vets are stumped and have no idea as to cause, we are frustrated and don't know what to do next. Repeated tapping is going to be hard on her (and us financially) but she is perfectly healthy aside from the recurring pleural effusion. Don't know what to do next.
Oct. 22, 2017
0 Recommendations
Your Veterinarian would have ruled out the usual causes of pleural effusion which include infection, cancer, hypoproteinemia, chyle, heart failure etc… There are some cases of idiopathic pleural effusion which is normally eosinophilic and may respond to diuretics and low dose corticosteroids; I really do not know what else to suggest. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Oct. 22, 2017
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Rat Terrier
Bubba
15 Years
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0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Done
Can blood test help diagnoses for fluid in dogs lungs. We took our 15 year old Rat Terrier to vet four weeks ago because of breathing difficulties otherwise in good health other then large cyst on side. Dr. took x-rays, large amount of fluid in chest cavity pushing on thorax. Dr. prescribed 20mg of furosemide once a day. Tumor or heart disease suggested as possible underlying cause. Return visit two weeks our dog has lost 10% of body weight. Fluid somewhat reduced Dr. doubled furosemide and added 5mg Enalapril once a day. Suggested steroids. Our dog's breathing somewhat inproved still has difficulty keeping food down. Is removing fluid mechanically something that should be considered.
Oct. 16, 2017
0 Recommendations
If the fluid is in the chest cavity, it may be drained mechanically but this isn’t dealing with the underlying cause and the fluid would return; if the fluid is in the lungs themselves then draining the lungs wouldn’t be an option. Furosemide is a common diuretic and may be used in conjunction with another diuretic; the underlying cause of the fluid would need to be determined. Fluid accumulation may be due to heart failure, low blood protein (would show on blood test), head trauma among other disorders; further testing to uncover a diagnosis would help direct treatment. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Oct. 16, 2017
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Toy Poodle
Poochie
10 Years
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1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Coughing
Fainting
Panting/Abnoraml Breathing
Over Heating
Murmur
My 10 year old toy poodle has swelling a little bit above his stomach that I just noticed today. I was also told he had a murmur that's severe. He recently has been fainting even when he is not outside. He also has been short of breath and been lagging around. What do I do?
Aug. 30, 2017
1 Recommendations
A swelling may be caused by a variety of different causes and without examining Poochie I cannot really say what the cause is; if Poochie is fainting often it may be due to a lack of blood to the brain due to poor cardiac output, medication may help with the heart’s contractility. For both cases a visit to your Veterinarian is required to examine the swelling and to have a cardiac examination. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 30, 2017
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Labrador Retriever
Kailey
12 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Cough
Kailey is a 12 year old Lab retriever with an intermittent hacking cough with retching for over a year - gradually worsening. Found to have pulmonary infiltrates in CXR. Did not want to spend $5000 in CT scan & bronchoscope so just have been monitoring. She's otherwise been fine until today when she vomited & has been lethargic all day. Breathing harder too. Trip to emergency vet & now, in addition to infiltrates, she has bilateral effusions. Vet is tapping her but is this the beginning of the end? Would steroids help her? Docs think it's cancer but no biopsy done.
Aug. 30, 2017
0 Recommendations
Regular tapping is a common first step solution; but for a more indepth answer the underlying cause needs to be determined, once the underlying cause is known treatment options may start to be explored. It may be worth having the fluid that is removed analysed to see if anything in the fluid indicates a possible cause (including cytology for cancer); I cannot give a prognosis (although not favourable if the underlying cause isn’t treated) or recommend treatment if the primary condition isn’t found as fluid accumulation is a symptom not a condition. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 30, 2017
this comment is for Kailey's owner...I am curious if things got any better for your sweet Lab? We are going thru the exact same thing with our 13 yo chocolate lab. He's been doing it for almost a year. Lots of meds....some seemed to work, then it would reoccur. He's eating good and seems happy other than the breathing issue and gagging. Not sure if we are nearing the end or is there something else that worked for your baby.....Thanks so much for sharing.
July 25, 2018
Julie R.
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Fluid in the Chest Average Cost
From 9 quotes ranging from $1,200 - $6,000
Average Cost
$4,000
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