Why does my dog’s chest look swollen? Here’s What to Expect

Pleural effusion can have several causes. The most common causes of pleural effusion in dogs include the following:

On physical examination, your veterinarian may notice signs that suggest pleural effusion, including pale or blue-discolored gums, labored breathing, and an increased respiratory rate. When your veterinarian uses a stethoscope to listen to your dog’s chest, he or she may observe that the heart and lung sounds are muffled by the presence of fluid within the chest.

Pyothorax. This term refers to pus within the chest cavity. A pyothorax forms as a response to a severe bacterial infection within the chest cavity, either due to a blood-borne infection or a penetrating chest wound.

Pleural effusion refers to the abnormal accumulation of fluid within the chest cavity. The fluid is not found within the lungs, but instead within the pleural sac, essentially meaning the lungs are floating in a chest that is full of fluid. This fluid occupies space within the chest, keeping the lungs from expanding as fully as they should.

Thoracocentesis is typically used to diagnose the cause of the pleural effusion. In this procedure, your veterinarian will use a sterile needle to remove fluid directly from the chest cavity. This often provides immediate relief of some of the breathing difficulties associated with pleural effusion, while also providing a fluid sample that can be used for testing. The chemical parameters of the pleural fluid will be assessed and the fluid will be examined under a microscope for the presence of abnormal cells. Tests performed on the pleural fluid can help your veterinarian diagnose the cause of your dog’s pleural effusion and develop an effective treatment program.

What are the causes of pulmonary edema in dogs?

There are two distinct groups of causes of pulmonary edema in dogs, cardiogenic pulmonary edema and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.

Cardiogenic pulmonary edema means that your dog is experiencing a heart condition which is leading to a buildup of fluid in the lungs. Issues linked to cardiogenic pulmonary edema include:

  • Thickening of heart walls
  • Incorrectly functioning heart valve
  • There are a range of conditions that can lead to noncardiogenic pulmonary edema in dogs, such as:

  • Hypoproteinemia (too little protein in the dogs blood)
  • Obstruction of the airway
  • Secondary diseases such as cancer
  • Smoke inhalation
  • Electrocution
  • Near drowning
  • Toxins including snake venom
  • Pneumonia
  • Anemia
  • Heartworm
  • Causes Of Pleural Effusion In Dogs

    Why does my dog’s chest look swollen?

    There are several types of pleural effusion in dogs, each with their own possible causes.

    All of these types result in similar symptoms, though they may require different methods of treatment. Here are the types of pleural effusion in dogs and their causes:

    This happens when there is an increase in hydrostatic pressure or decrease in oncotic pressure. Here are some possible causes:

  • Liver disease
  • Malnutrition
  • Malabsorption
  • Heart failure
  • Burns
  • Chronic hemorrhaging
  • Kidney disease
  • Intestinal disease
  • This happens when lymphatic fluid and chylomicrons accumulate. Here are a few possible causes:

  • Cancer
  • Chronic vomiting
  • Diaphragmatic hernia
  • Twisted lung lobe
  • Blood clot in the veins of the chest
  • Congenital defects present from birth
  • This happens when blood accumulates in the chest. Here are a few reasons that might occur:

  • Injury or trauma
  • Lymphoma
  • Tumors of the chest wall or heart
  • This happens when pus and fluid accumulates because of an infection or growth. Here are a few issues that might cause it:

  • Injury
  • Fungal or parasitic infection
  • Pancreatitis
  • Pulmonary thromboembolism
  • Heartworm
  • Pneumonia
  • Esophageal disease
  • Lupus
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Dog With Swollen Chest ,

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