Contrast‐enhanced multidetector computed tomography to diagnose pulmonary thromboembolism in an awake dog with pyothorax. (8th October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ngwenyama, Thandeka R.; Herring, Jennifer M.; O'Brien, Mauria; Hartman, Susan K.; Galloway, Kimberly A.; O'Brien, Robert T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care. Volume 24:Number 6(2014:Nov./Dec.)
• Page Start: 731
• Page End: 738
• Publication Date: 2014-10-08
• Subjects: Veterinary emergencies -- Periodicals; Veterinary critical care -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/vec.12235
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-3261

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="vec12235-sec-0010" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>To (1) describe the use of contrast‐enhanced multidetector computed tomography (CE‐MDCT) for identifying pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in an awake dog with pyothorax, (2) report the first documented case of PTE associated with pyothorax in veterinary medicine, and (3) review diagnostic imaging modalities and therapeutic options for PTE.</p> </sec> <sec id="vec12235-sec-0020" sec-type="section"> <title>Case Summary</title> <p>A 5‐year, 4‐month‐old female neutered Labrador Retriever was presented for respiratory distress secondary to a pyothorax. The dog underwent thoracic exploratory surgery in which no underlying etiology was identified. Aerobic bacterial culture grew <italic>Streptococcus canis</italic>. The patient remained hypoxemic despite thoracocentesis and surgery. CE‐MDCT was performed without general anesthesia and showed luminal‐filling defects in the right cranial and right and left caudal lobar primary pulmonary arteries consistent with PTE. Anticoagulant therapy using unfractionated heparin was initiated. The dog responded well and was discharged 3 days postoperatively.</p> </sec> <sec id="vec12235-sec-0030" sec-type="section"> <title>New or Unique Information Provided</title> <p>To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of PTE diagnosed in a dog with pyothorax using CE‐MDCT.</p> </sec> </abstract>