X CLOSE

ALERT

Response to Possible Supply Issues with Sentinel, more

READ ARTICLE

Hemorrhage of the Lung in Dogs

Pulmonary Contusions in Dogs

 

Pulmonary contusion, or a hemorrhage of the lung, occurs when the dog's lung is torn and/or crushed during direct trauma to the chest, thus impeding the dog's ability to breath and pass arterial blood to a capillary bed in synchrony. Dogs suffering from capillary damage may also develop pulmonary fluid in the lungs, as well as hemorrhage.

 

Pulmonary contusion occurs in both dogs and cats and there is no specific breed, age, or gender predilection. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.

 

Symptoms and Types

 

  • Tachypnea
  • Coughing up of blood or blood-tinged fluid
  • Respiratory distress, or abnormal respiratory effort after a blunt trauma to the chest
  • Cyanotic (blue-tinged) or pale mucous membranes

 

Causes

 

  • Blunt trauma
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Fall from a great height
  • Physical abuse (i.e., beating)
  • Coagulopathy (coagulation/clotting disorder)

 

Diagnosis

 

You will need to give a thorough history of your dog's health, onset of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have precipitated/preceded this condition. Your veterinarian will then perform a thorough physical exam on your dog, including blood tests, a urinalysis, and chest X-rays. If there are rib fractures, for example, they will show up on X-ray.

 

He or she will also perform coagulation (clotting) tests, and may culture cells from the trachea.

 

 

Share this page

0 COMMENTS

LEAVE COMMENTS

Please login or sign up to leave comments.



Related Articles

Intestinal Virus (Reovirus) Infection in Dogs
A reovirus infection is caused by a group of viruses that contain double-stranded...
READ MORE
Sneezing, Reverse Sneezing (gasping in for ...
Sneezing refers to the normal behavior of expelling air to remove matter through...
READ MORE
Fluid in Chest (Pleural Effusion) in Dogs
Pleural effusion is the abnormal accumulation of fluid within the chest cavity (which...
READ MORE

symptom checker

1.
Bella
1438
 
Ace
896
2.
Abby
935
 
Max
690
3.
Zoey
811
 
Buddy
617
4.
Daisy
809
 
Axel
589
5.
Bailey
778
 
A.J.
583
See AllSee All

PETMD POLL

What would your pet do if it had opposable thumbs?



 
MORE FROM PETMD.COM
©1999-2012 petMD, LLC. All Rights Reserved
x
Stay informed about your pet's health...and more!