Chylothorax in a Dog - Diagnosis and Management

Accumulation of chyle in the thoracic cavity is called as chylothorax. A five year old male Rottweiler was presented to the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Maanuthy with the history of limb edema and labored breathing. On auscultation of lung crackles and high intensity sounds and muffled heart sounds were observed. Radiography confirms the presence of effusion in the thoracic cavity. Solitary Ventricular Premature Complexes were observed in the three-minute electrocardiographic examination. Thoracic ultrasonography revealed anechoic areas, which confirmed pleural effusions. Thoracocentesis was done about two times and around 350 ml of milky white fluid was collected each time for about 2 weeks interval between collections. It was clinically managed initially antibiotics and diuretics and some fluids. Later it was treated with Relaxzyme tablet followed by rutin. Dog was clinically improved. There was much reduction in fluid content, limb edema and respiratory distress.