Pneumothorax in horses: 40 cases (1980-1997).
Abstract: To characterize pneumothorax in horses and to describe clinical signs, diagnostic testing, and clinical outcome of horses with pneumothorax. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 40 horses. Methods: Medical records of horses with pneumothorax were reviewed to obtain information on signalment, history, clinical signs, diagnostic testing, treatment, and clinical outcome. Results: Horses developed pneumothorax secondary to pleuropneumonia (17 horses), open wounds of the thorax (9), closed trauma to the thorax (7), surgery on the upper portion of the respiratory tract (3), and surgery involving the thoracic cavity (1); 3 horses had pneumothorax of unknown cause. Clinical signs included tachypnea, dyspnea, cyanosis, lack of lung sounds on auscultation of the dorsal aspect of the thorax, fever, tachycardia, signs of depression or anxiousness, and cough. Radiography and ultrasonography were useful to definitively diagnose pneumothorax. Pneumothorax was bilateral in 47.5% (19/40) and unilateral in 42.5% (17/40) of horses; designation of unilateral versus bilateral was not recorded in the remaining 4 horses. Horses with pneumothorax secondary to pleuropneumonia more commonly had unilateral pneumothorax (64.7% for unilateral vs 29.4% for bilateral; not specified for 1 horse). Horses with pneumothorax secondary to pleuropneumonia were less likely to survive than horses with pneumothorax secondary to other causes (35.3 vs 69.6% survived, respectively). Conclusions: Pleuropneumonia is an important cause of pneumothorax in horses. Classic clinical signs of pneumothorax may not be evident. Radiography, ultrasonography, or both may be required for diagnosis. Prognosis for survival is better for horses with pneumothorax not associated with pleuropneumonia.
Publication Date: 2000-06-23 PubMed ID: 10863596DOI: 10.2460/javma.2000.216.1955Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article presents a study about pneumothorax (air in the chest cavity causing lung collapse) in horses, what causes it, its symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and the survival outcomes for affected horses. The study was based on data from 40 horses over a 17 year period.
Methods
- The study is retrospective, meaning it uses data from past cases.
- It examined the medical records of 40 horses diagnosed with pneumothorax.
- Information obtained from these records included the horse’s characteristics (signalment), reason for presenting, symptoms displayed, diagnostic tests performed, treatment given, and the clinical outcome.
Findings
- The study found that horses developed pneumothorax due to various causes – pleuropneumonia (lung disease), open chest wounds, closed chest trauma, and surgeries on the respiratory tract or thoracic cavity.
- The typical symptoms in horses with pneumothorax included rapid and difficult breathing, bluish discoloration (cyanosis) indicating lack of oxygen in the blood, absence of normal lung sounds when listening to the upper part of the chest (auscultation), fever, fast heart rate, signs of depression or anxiety, and coughing.
- Imaging tests like radiography (X-ray) and ultrasonography (ultrasound) were helpful in confirming the diagnosis of pneumothorax.
- It was observed that pneumothorax more commonly affected both lungs (47.5% of cases), but could also affect just one side (42.5% of cases).
- Among horses with pleuropneumonia, the disease more likely caused only one lung to collapse.
- The survival rate was lower in horses whose pneumothorax was caused by pleuropneumonia compared to those due to other causes.
Conclusions
- We learn from this study that pleuropneumonia is a significant cause of pneumothorax in horses.
- Most common symptoms may not always be present, and imaging tests are often required for an accurate diagnosis.
- The prognosis or survival future is better for horses if their pneumothorax is not linked to pleuropneumonia.
Cite This Article
APA
Boy MG, Sweeney CR.
(2000).
Pneumothorax in horses: 40 cases (1980-1997).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 216(12), 1955-1959.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2000.216.1955 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square 19348-1692, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Hernia, Diaphragmatic / complications
- Hernia, Diaphragmatic / surgery
- Hernia, Diaphragmatic / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Male
- Pleuropneumonia / complications
- Pleuropneumonia / veterinary
- Pneumothorax / diagnosis
- Pneumothorax / etiology
- Pneumothorax / physiopathology
- Pneumothorax / veterinary
- Prognosis
- Records / veterinary
- Respiratory System / surgery
- Retrospective Studies
- Thoracic Injuries / complications
- Thoracic Injuries / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Schoen LM, Al Naem M, Röcken M, Geburek F. Pneumoperitoneum as an uncommon complication after an axillary laceration in a horse. Vet Med Sci 2022 Mar;8(2):546-552.
- Blacha MMJ, Smesseim I, van der Lee I, van den Aardweg JG, Schultz MJ, Kik MLJ, van Sonsbeek L, de Bakker BS, Light RW. The Legend of the Buffalo Chest. Chest 2021 Dec;160(6):2275-2282.
- Arroyo MG, Slovis NM, Moore GE, Taylor SD. Factors Associated with Survival in 97 Horses with Septic Pleuropneumonia. J Vet Intern Med 2017 May;31(3):894-900.
- Chesnel MA, Aprea F, Clutton RE. Anesthetic management of a horse with traumatic pneumothorax. Can Vet J 2012 Jun;53(6):648-52.
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