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Treatment

If the patient is diagnosed with cardiac tamponade, immediate pericardiocentesis (drawing the fluid out of the pericardial sac with a needle) is essential. Some dogs may need to have the process repeated.

Dogs in respiratory distress will be stabilized with the use of administered oxygen and an oxygen cage. Some animals may need their pericardium surgically removed (pericardiectomy), if there is persistent effusion.

Living and Management

If symptoms of pericardial effusion should reoccur in your dog, contact your veterinarian immediately. If you pet has undergone a pericardiectomy, check the surgical incision every day to make sure it is clean, and is healing properly. There is always a risk of infection when the skin has been operated on.

If there is any itching, swelling, redness, or oozing at the surgical site, contact your veterinarian immediately for advisement.