Pneumothorax in a kitten/Pneumotórax en un gatito

Radiography showing pulmonar collapse

     This little kitten was not even 2kg when he was attacked by a neighbor's dog. At his presentation, no wounds or fracture were found, but he was obviously distressed and struggling to breath. His breaths per minute were really high, and a radiography showed what we know as "pneumothorax", which is basically an accumulation of air between the ribs and the lungs (pleural space). This air prevents the lungs from expanding, and consequently they collapse. In severe cases, this air is pressing the main veins and arteries in the body, compromising the blood flow (read more)

   
     Este gatito no tenia siquiera 2kgs cuando el perro de un vecino lo atacó. En su llegada a la clínica no encotramos heridas o fracturas, pero estaba claramente estresado y luchando por respirar. Sus respiraciones por minuto eran realmente elevadas, y una radiografía nos mostró lo que llamamos "pneumotórax", que es una acumulación de aire entre las costillas y los pulmones (espacio pleural). Este aire impedia a los pulmones expandirse, y en consecuencia se colapsaban. En casos severos, este aire comprime las venas y arterias principales del cuerpo, afectando a la circulación sanguínea.

Breathing effort on arrival. 
Respiración dificultosa a su llegada.

     A quick physical examination told us that the kitten was in shock, that is, not receiving enough oxygen. A basic blood test was consistent with his shock but, fortunately, no other abnormality was found.

     Un rápido examen clínico nos indicó que se encontraba en shock, o sea, no estaba recibiendo suficiente oxígeno. Un análisis sanguíneo básico corroboraba el estado de shock pero, por suerte, no mostró otras anormalidades.

     Once he was put on a drip and he was stable, a mild sedation and local anesthesia was needed to suction the air from his pleura. In some cases, several suctions throughout the day are needed until the wound from where the air is going in get close. In this case, this little one only needed this "chest tube" or thoracocentesis to be performed once.

     En cuanto lo pusimos con suero y se estabilizó, hizo falta una suave sedación y anestesia local para succionar el aire de la pleura. En algunos casos hacen falta varias succiones a lo largo del día, hasta que la herida por la que entra el aire se cierra. En este caso, este pequeñín sólo necesitó de una "toracocentesis"

Image from www.autoorb.com

     A pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition that needs urgent veterinary intervention and, sometimes, surgical approach.

     Un pneumotórax pone en riesgo la vida, necesita asistencia veterinaria urgente y, a veces, intervención quirúrgica.