Allogenic blood patch pleurodesis for management of pneumothorax in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy with multiple pulmonary blebs and bullae.

Abstract

A 9-week-old male intact Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was presented for evaluation of acute onset dyspnea caused by left-sided pneumothorax. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) identified multiple pulmonary bullae and blebs in multiple lung lobes. Rupture of ≥1 pulmonary blebs or bullae, precipitated by low impact trauma, was the suspected cause of pneumothorax. A volume of 7.5 mL/kg of fresh whole blood was collected from a type-matched donor dog and administered into the left pleural space using a thoracostomy tube. The pneumothorax was successfully resolved and no adverse effects of blood patch pleurodesis were noted. The dog was clinically normal 12 months later.