Pneumothorax in Dogs By Brian Daubs

Introduction

Veterinary surgeon Dr. Brian Daubs currently utilizes his skills at the Animal Specialty and Emergency Clinic in Brevard County in Rockledge, Florida. There, Dr. Brian Daubs treats such conditions in dogs as pneumothorax.

Pneumothorax is a condition characterized by the buildup of air in the space between the lungs and the chest wall. Larger dogs with deep chests are thought to be particularly prone to developing the condition, although it can affect dogs of various sizes.

Symptoms

Symptoms of the condition vary but most often include rapid, shallow breathing. On certain occasions, the condition is caused by a traumatic event, other times it stems from an abscess or some type of foreign body in the lung, and sometimes small air pockets in the lungs rupture.

Conclusion

Depending on the type of pneumothorax, chest surgery is often the best option. Medical management via chest tube placement is an option as well. This type of procedure involves a tube inserted into the space between the chest wall and the lung. Using this device, the excess air is removed until the dog is stabilized.