Intra-thoracic pyogranulomatous disease in four working dogs

Authors: Kuipers von Lande RG, Doyle JL, Worth AJ
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 57, Issue 6, pp 346-351, Dec 2009
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Dog
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Diagnostic procedures, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Inflammation, Sepsis/infection, Thorax
Article class: Clinical Communication

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Abstract:

CASE HISTORY: Four working dogs were presented to veterinary clinics in New Zealand for weight loss or swelling of the thoracic wall. All dogs were large-breed males between the ages of 4 and 7 years, and actively involved in farm work. The two dogs with swelling of the thoracic wall had recent histories of work-related trauma.
CLINICAL FINDINGS AND DIAGNOSIS: All four dogs were diagnosed with intra-thoracic pyogranulomatous disease via diagnostic imaging and surgical exploration. Two dogs had confirmed infection with Actinomyces viscosus, while a third had suspected Actinomyces or Nocardia spp. infection. The fourth dog had a streptococcal infection, and a grass-seed foreign body was removed at surgery. Two dogs successfully returned to work, however euthanasia was requested by the owners of the other two, either during surgery, due to intra-thoracic haemorrhage, or shortly after, with post-operative meningitis.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Due to the high value of working dogs in New Zealand, and the higher-than-average risk profile for intra-thoracic pyogranulomatous disease, veterinarians should be aware of this syndrome, and should seek to appropriately diagnose and aggressively treat it surgically.
KEY WORDS: Dog, canine, pyothorax, pyogranulomatous, pleural effusion, Actinomyces, Nocardia

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