Pyothorax in nine dogs

Abstract

The results of treatment of pyothorax using systemic antibiotics, drainage, and lavage of the pleural space, are reported for 9 dogs. All 9 dogs recovered completely. In 8 of the 9 dogs the follow-up period was at least 6 months and in none was there a relapse. The results obtained with this treatment are excellent in comparison with the results that have been reported for treatment with systemic antibiotics and drainage of the pleural space but without lavage. Apart from the addition of pleural lavage to the treatment protocol, the better result might be because migrating plant related foreign bodies did not seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of pyothorax in this group of dogs.

Successful medical treatment of 15 dogs with pyothorax

“…One study of 22 cases in the UK noted that half of recovered cases underwent only one attempt to drain the effusion and did not have thoracostomy tubes inserted but showed a rapid and sustained response to antibiotic therapy (Robertson and others 1983). Others advise routine thoracostomy tube placement, daily lavage and antibiosis, with a success rate of nine of nine dogs in one study (Piek and Robben 2000). Another report documented success in 11 of 15 dogs using antibiosis and continuous suction drainage (Turner and Breznock 1988).…”

“…Metronidazole may be used at a dose ranging from 15 to 50 mg/kg twice daily (Plumb 2005). It is effective against most anaerobic bacteria and recommendations for its use in canine pyothorax have been cited in several papers (Robertson and others 1983, Piek and Robben 2000, Walker and others 2000, Scott and Macintire 2003b). It is lipophilic and is well distributed throughout the body after absorption, diffusing well into abscesses.…”

“…Recommendations for the treatment of pyothorax vary from surgery, initial medical therapy followed by surgery (Holmberg 1979, Rooney and Monnet 2002), antibiotic therapy with daily lavage of the thorax (Piek and Robben 2000) and continuous chest drainage combined with antibiotics (Turner and Breznock 1988), while one report from the UK noted a good response in some dogs to single thoracocentesis combined with antibiotic therapy (Robertson and others 1983).…”

In Dogs With Pyothorax Does Medical Management Alone, Invasive Medical Management, or Surgical Management Result in Better Long-term Outcome?

“… Most commonly used empirical (pre-culture and sensitivity) antibiotics were trimethoprim-sulfonamide (n=30), enrofloxacin (24), amoxicillin (23), ampicillin (20), and penicillin (10).…”

Cytological evaluation of pleural effusion with cell block technique in a dog

“…The aetiology of the pleural effusion in dogs and cats are often unknown. Pyothorax, a purulent pleural effusion, is generally accepted as an uncommon but important disease in dogs (4,7,10,12). It has been documented that the main cause for the development of the pyothorax is the presence of bacteriological agents in cat and dogs (4,6,7,16).…”