Fluid in the Chest in Dogs
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 10/28/2015Updated: 09/23/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Fluid in the Chest in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
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.
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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
$4,000
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Fluid in the Chest Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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Dachshund
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Hikari
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13 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Shallow Rapid Breathing
Chronic pleural effusion in 13 yo female dachshund. Tap done.x 3, 550, 375 350. She builds fluid in about 2 to 3 mos. all labs normal. Fluid cytology without malignant cells but with mesothelial cells., some WBC - culture done and negative. Has had course of doxycycline - no effect. On Meloxicam after that, fluid recurred within 2 .5 months. Wondering if low dose diuretic may help? Vet and I talked about possible steroid use.
July 26, 2017
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There are numerous causes of pleural effusion including trauma, infection, heart failure, low blood protein, cancer and heartworm (among others); the treatment program given to Hikari would depend on the underlying condition causing the pleural effusion. Diuretics are useful in some cases, especially when the cause is caused by heart failure, but is not useful in other cases. Again, steroid use would be down to the specific cause and would need to be considered in the same way diuretics would. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Jack Russell Terrier
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charlie
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7 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Hi I have a 7 year old male jack russel who has had chronic water diarreha for approx 7 weeks. He now has a swollen stomach due to fluid in his stomach and has a pouch/lump of fluid on his chest. Blood results show that he has low protien of 12. He has been out on steriods and a poo sample is being done. In the meantime do you have any advise on how I can help him or what it could be please? Thanks
July 26, 2017

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Chronic diarrohea, ascites (fluid in abdomen), thoracic fluid and low protein levels are indicative of protein losing enteropathy which may be caused by cancer, inflammation, diet or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment is varied according to the underlying cause; steroid treatment (prednisolone) is a common course of treatment especially in cases which are idiopathic (unknown cause). Dietary changes to a low fiber diet that contains digestible fat, simple carbohydrate and protein may help in some cases. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
My dog Addy was a 2 year old Black lab female. One day she was up and happy running and playing and the next day she passed away. She went outside in the morning and came back in the house gasping for air. We took her to the first vet and they said they were not equipped to help her. They sent us to a specialist and then charged us $1700 to drain the fluid from her lungs. it was 1.2 liters. he said it was brown and smelled bad. Not sure what exactly was the cause. She did improve for about 35 mins and then could not breathe and passed. The only symptom was weight loss but she was always a skinny very fit dog. the week before she died we mentioned the weight loss concern to our vet (former vet) and they had us switch her to puppy food instead of investigating.The lesson learned here is to plan ahead. there are differences between vet offices. Be sure to have a specialist that you can go to in a crisis situation.
Dec. 14, 2017
Jeff
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Average Cost
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