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
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Fluid in the Chest Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Great Dane
Samson
Under a year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Laying Down In Abnormal Position
Hard To Breath
Mouth Breathing
Chest Big On One Side
Non Active
My dog Samson has not been himself for about two days now. The first day he acted a little weird. He would lay down most of the day and he is usually an active dog. The second day he didn't move at all and laid around all day long literally. I checked him out today and his chest is really big on one side. I think that he might have fluid in his chest area. I'm not for sure though. Please help me!
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
Without examining Samson and performing auscultation and percussion; I cannot say what the cause is, it would be best if Samson is having breathing difficulties to visit your Veterinarian as soon as possible to determine the cause and to start immediate treatment. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Labrador
Hobbes
9 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Fluid In Abdomen
Loss Of Appetite
Fluid In Chest
Hi Doc, we have a 9 year old Labrador. He has a lump in his testicles. In the last 6 months, he has had 2 bouts of sickness where he stops eating entirely and has no energy. But no other symptoms like fever, loose motions. Last time in Feb, the ECG, blood, echo, x-ray all had come clear so we were really stumped as to the cause of the sickness. This time around, similarly he stopped eating one fine morning and lost all energy. Initially he was having trouble passing stool, however, after one shot of anti biotics, stool is under control but still no appetite. Unfortunately this time X Ray has shown minor fluid in the chest and the abdomen.We are in the process of doing the ECG and Echo and the Tap fluid test. What should be our way forward:
a) Surgically remove the lump ASAP if the fluid tests positive for cancer. Blood reports show liver and kidneys to be in order as well as protein levels.
b) is there a chance of the cancer being more aggressive post the surgery for any reason whatsoever.
c) is there a chance of this not being cancer
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
I feel that regardless of test results, the testicles should be removed; if there is testicular cancer, castration would help, however if the cancer has spread the prognosis isn’t as favourable; removing the testicles will allow histopathology to be performed on the mass giving a diagnosis of cancer, cyst or other mass; there is always a chance that cancer isn’t present, but with the other symptoms presenting there is a high likelihood that it is cancer. I would castrate him and check the mass in the testicles, drain the fluid from the chest and abdomen and check them for cells and protein etc… Based on the results, your Veterinarian may have a better idea of a diagnosis and how to direct treatment. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Pug
Ruby
4
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Lethargic
Low Appetite
My 4 year old female Pug has been diagnosed with lymphoma. She has had 2 treatments of chemo in 11 days and chest tap once. We are not going thru with the 19 week treatment chemo program but would like to consider every 3-4 weeks. Will fluid continue to build in her chest?
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
The buildup of fluid in the lungs most probably will continue during the course of the condition; medical management may not be effective which would lead to a physical drainage needing to be performed on a regular basis. Each case is different and I cannot comment on Ruby’s case as I haven’t examined her and I’m unaware of the extent of her lymphoma. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Pekingese
Saartje
7 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Fluid In Thorax
Hello! A friend of mine has a small dog (pekingese) that has been suffering from fluid in its chest for over five years now. She is a vet herself and has tried pretty much everything to find the cause. A short description: 2011: ideopathic periocardic effusion (chest tap was performed and dog seemed to recover well). July 2016: thorax effusion with 300 ml of bloody fluids, spent 3 days in IC, had thorax drains. After treatment the dog did well without any issues for 3 months.
In November 2016, (mainly) the left side of the thorax suddenly filled up with fluid again, another chest tap was performed. No signs of infection, blood values all appeared normal. After the tap, the dog was again seemingly fine. She was put on prednisone, simply because there did not seem to be any cause and according to the specialist, no one knows whether it works.
In February 2017, another episode of effusion – a scan was done in a University of Veterinary Medicine – no cause was found. No signs of infections, tumors or any other underlying issues. Earlier this month the thorax was once again filled with fluid, and yet another chest tap was performed, after which the dog is once again active and happy.
In total, there have been 5 ultrasound scans performed, including one by the cardiologist at the University, no defects or abnormalties found – no infections in the blood, no tumor cells or infectious cells have ever been found in the fluid drained from the chest.
Have you ever had an experience like this with any animals, and if so, have you been able to determine a cause? Thank you very much in advance for any advice you could provide!
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
Normally idiopathic pleural effusion would have eosinophils in the fluid that is drained; treatment would be over the course of a few months (up to six) with low doses of furosemide and eighteen months with prednisone (including tapering off of treatment). I haven’t come across this type of case which Specialists are puzzled by. The list of possible causes is long and includes liver disease, kidney disease, protein losing nephropathy, protein losing enteropathy, malabsorption disorders, trauma, cancer and autoimmune diseases. I am sorry I am unable to help Saartje. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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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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