Spontaneous pneumothorax in a dog with a history of successfully treated heartworm disease: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a dog presented with spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to chronic pulmonary changes associated with a history of resolved canine heartworm disease. CASE OR SERIES SUMMARY: A 7-year-old 25.2kg female spayed German Shepherd mix was presented for management of spontaneous pneumothorax. The dog had a history of heartworm disease that underwent therapy prior to adoption, and the dog was heartworm antigen negative (SNAP 4Dx) during hospitalization for the pneumothorax. An exploratory thoracotomy was performed due to an unresolving pneumothorax requiring multiple thoracocenteses. Perioperatively, the lungs did not expand with positive pressure ventilation and diffuse, multifocal to coalescing areas of darkened tissue that were grossly consistent with necrosis and/or hemorrhage were noted. The dog was euthanized intraoperatively due to an assumed poor prognosis. Histopathologic examination findings were consistent with chronic reactive changes related to previous heartworm infection. No neoplastic or infectious etiologies were identified. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: Spontaneous pneumothorax is a known complication of active heartworm infection. However, this case represents the first report of spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to chronic pulmonary changes caused by resolved heartworm infection.

Diagnosis and Conservative Management of Primary Lymphedema Resulting From Multiple Aplastic Lymphocenters in a Dog.

A 6-week-old 7.4-kg (16.3-lb) sexually intact male Great Dane with a history of severe peripheral edema within the head, neck, limbs, and tail since birth was referred for further evaluation. A whole-body computed tomography examination documented severe subcutaneous edema multifocally associated with numerous hypoplastic and aplastic lymphocenters, particularly the left axillary, iliosacral, inguinal, and popliteal lymphocenters bilaterally. A congenital anomaly of the lymphatic system resulting in lymphedema was strongly suspected. The dog was managed with a combination of low-fat diet, rutin, and furosemide initially. In addition, the owner used a combination of compression socks and therapeutic massage several times daily along with carprofen and gabapentin for pain and inflammation. The patient was hospitalized to receive supportive care several times over a 2-year period for treatment of fever associated with cellulitis resulting in secondary wounds and infections. To the author's knowledge, this report represents the first case of presumed congenital lymphedema diagnosed with computed tomography and successful long-term medical management without surgical intervention.