Veterinarska stanica, Vol. 52 No. 2, 2021.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.46419/vs.52.2.1
Causes and laboratory diagnostic of pleural effusions in dogs
Valerija Benko
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Iva Šmit
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Jadranka Foršek
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Aleksandra Radonjić
; Health Centre Krapinsko-zagorska county, Klanjec, Croatia
Vlasta Đurić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Ines Jović
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Marin Torti
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Pleural effusions are defined as pathologic accumulation of free fluid in the pleural cavity, and in dogs they arise from a variety of inflammatory, systemic, infectious and neoplastic conditions, metabolic disorders, trauma and cardiovascular diseases. Pleural effusions are typically classified as transudates, modified transudates, and exudates. From a pathophysiologic standpoint the accumulation of free fluid can be caused by (1) an increase in hydrostatic pressure (as is the case with congestive heart failure), (2) a decrease in oncotic pressure (i.e. due to hypoproteinemia), (3) increased permeability of the vessel wall (most often as a result of inflammatory reaction) and lymphatic obstruction (most often due to tumor growth). Dogs with pathologic pleural effusions often show heavy breathing (respiratory distress, dyspnea) as the most common clinical sign. Other clinical signs include a crouched, sternal recumbent position with extension of the head and neck, open - mouth breathing, tachypnea, forceful abdominal respiration and cyanosis. Thoracocentesis is used to drain the free fluid, but also to sample pleural effusion, as further laboratory examination is crucial to establish a suspicion and sometimes a definitive diagnosis of the cause or causes that led to the pathological accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity. The purpose of this review is to present the causes and specific types of effusions in the pleural cavity in dogs, as well
as their diagnostic approach.
Keywords
pleural effusions; dog; causes; laboratory diagnostic
Hrčak ID:
239458
URI
Publication date:
1.12.2020.
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