Chylthorax

[Dawn53094]

Our dog was just diagnosed with this. We have spent a lot of money to find out what she has. She has now been referred to our University to see if they can do surgery on her. The emergency place didnt want to try. The University is doing a study on this but right now has run out of funding which means we will have to pay for her care. I dont mind that at all--BUT I do mind that they want to do even more testing on her before they do surgery.

Does anyone have any other up to date information on this or tips? We believe its idiopathic...the emergency clinic we went to said there are no sigsn of cancer, no signs of heart disease. The University wants to do more heart work and more tests to ensure cancer isnt the cause. After all the money we have spent so far and testing--I dont want to do anymore on those.

[crow_noir]

I never heard of it so I can't give you any more information that what you'd find by browsing search engine results.

As for more testing... They have to know what they are going in for. You can't treat something if you don't know what it is. Pin point plans are crucial. However, if you think you are being swindled, then get a second opinion from another facility.

Sorry I don't have anything more useful... Just didn't want you feeling ignored. Welcome to Pet Talk. Hope everything turns out Ok for your pooch.

[Dawn53094]

thanks, yes i have about exhausted all the internet research. Its not that I'm being swindled,, its that I'm not sure I'm willing to pay for more tests when i'm thinking the ones we've already done and paid for support idiopathic chylthorax and the more time we take taking more tests, waiting for results, she feels up with this fluid. We have to take her in today and thats another 200 to have her drained. Its only been a week. The University may be more extensive knowlege but they are also very slow in getting animals in.

[Freedom]

The University may be more extensive knowlege but they are also very slow in getting animals in.

How frustrating for you! I don't know anything about it, but I know how I feel when something is wrong with any of my pets.

First, have all the prior tests been provided to the University?
Next, make them explain WHY they need each of the tests. when you understand it, you will feel better about it. And just because they say the neex x, y, and z, doesn't mean you have to approve each one. Often, my vet will list 3 things, Iwll approve 2 and then sign a waiver on one.

Any chance you can help with fund raising for their program? Will they take off $x for every 10 hours you volunteer, OR for every $100 you bring in? Only thoughts I have.

Best wishes for you and your pet!

[Karen]

Does the University, as a teaching hospital, have any way you can work to offset the cost of tests? Or "scholarships" for such matters? It does sound frustrating, I agree.

[Catsnclay]

Our cat had Chylothorax, and lived. Any animal having this does not have a good chance at surviving. Sorry. But those are the facts.


Chylothorax is fluid in the chest. It has nothing to do with the heart or any other organs (not cancer either), although if enough fluid builds up, it will push on the walls of the lungs, and that is where it can be dangerous.

The Idiopathic, just means they have no idea how it got there.

Was your dog hit by a car? That is the most common way for dogs. Our cat is an indoor only cat, and we still don't know why, but with the help of an Internist he did get better.

My first thoughts for you is to find yourself a Veternarian who specializes in Internal medicine. Either ask your own vet, or look it up in the phone book.

Please do NOT do surgery on your dog. All that is most likely needed here, is for the fluid to be drained from her chest, on an hourly basis if needed. They can do this at the ER or in the doctors office. That is what they did to our Lucky. It took a week or 10 days I really can't remember, but it was interesting plus expensive at best.

If you Google : Chylothorax (the correct spelling) you will get a whole bunch of information. Although this is still concidered one of those "mysterious" things for animals, that is why they do not have a good solution, nor do too many people, including vet's know about it.

If you read up on it, they you could possibly tell the vet what you want done, or at least understand more about this disease.

Good luck........please keep us all posted.

.......sorry for the grim facts.

[Catsnclay]

Any new updates on Genie?????

[Dawn53094]

she had to go back in yesterday to have the fluid drained..it was about 2 liters. it was much thicker this time and they had to actually put her under.

they couldnt get it all so we can tell she isnt as back to her old self as the first it was drained out.
The University called yesterday and said if they determine the surgery could help her they will do it as early as Friday morning. I think I am comfortable with that because watching her struggle to breathe is heartwrenching. And we have an answer either way--she will have a chance at beating this or have to be put down. She cant live like this and either can we. We are hoping because she is young and overall healthy she can beat it.

[Catsnclay]

Please keep us updated on Genie and surgery!!

Good luck ...... all fingers & paws crossed here for good luck!

[Dawn53094]

I've personally witnessed and lived thru a miracle. Not only is Genie still here, but she has beaten 2 illnesses that were going to kill her. There is NO CANCER, and her Chylethorax has all but stopped. She did her her surgery--we were told after that-she had about a month. They couldnt fix the leakage AND they couldnt get the Cancer. They did take a biopsy. That came back after extensive testing as NO Cancer. They placed a tube in her chest so we could drain her at home and keep her chest free of fluids--at one point we were getting 2 liters of fluid every 3 days. We are down to draining her about every 10 days and getting not even 50cc's. She did end up with an infection in her wounds and back in the hospital for 3 days. We are now waiting for that to heal--its a slow process. The doctor wanted to let it heal open..so we change her bandages every 3 days. We have about a month or 2 left of that. She should have her tube removed in a month or two also.

At this point they are saying they think she inhaled something that caused an inflammation on her lymphnode system that caused the fluid to drain into her chest cavity. They can call it what they want--but I'm calling it an answer to our prayers and God giving us the miracle of her healing.

[lizbud]

What wonderful news. I am very happy for you both.

[Freedom]

What a (few) pleasant surprise you have had! Wishing continued success in the healing.

[crow_noir]

Congratulations! And good luck and well wishes on her continued recovery.

[pitc9]

WOW!!
What amazing news!!!

[Jakesmom]

One thing you might want to try is manipulation of her diet. Chyle is created by the absorbtion of long chain fatty acids. If it can't be reabsorbed, it leads to chylothorax. (this can happen if there is a problem with the thoracic duct by tumor or trauma, or if the pressure in the central veins is too high so the duct can't dump the fluids back into the circulation).

If there is dog food available that is made with medium chain tryglycerides, you could try that. Another alternative is to feed low fat food and supplement her diet with MCT oil.

She is also losing lots of protein with the chyle that is being drained, so I'd recccomend making sure she gets plenty of protein.

Good luck.

Jake's mom