Open AccessHemothorax in 2 Horses
Author(s) -
Perkins Gillian,
Ainsworth Dorothy M.,
Yeager Amy
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1999.tb02197.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hemothorax , tachypnea , surgery , horse , anesthesia , coagulopathy , tachycardia , pneumothorax , paleontology , biology
This report documents the successful conservative medical management of hemothorax in 2 horses. Hemothorax occurred after a lung biopsy procedure (horse 1) and strenuous exercise on a treadmill (horse 2). The horses had tachypnea, tachycardia, nostril flaring, hemoptysis, and pawing. Hemothorax was suspected based upon absence of auscultable ventral lung sounds; development of cool extremities and pale, tacky mucous membranes; the ultrasonographic appearance of moderate to severe amounts of pleural fluid; and a concurrent decrease in hematocrit and total plasma protein. Both horses were treated successfully by intranasal administration of oxygen, intravenous administration of balanced polyionic solutions, and treatment with antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, and analgesics. In neither case was pleural blood removed. The hemothorax resolved in both horses without lasting abnormalities. Hemothorax does not require drainage for successful resolution.