I have a 7 year old, overweight miniature pinscher. He collapsed and
went unconscious while on a walk. After going to the ER we were told
he had a pericardial effusion. Some past indications: labored
breathing for about 10-14 days prior to the collapse.

They did a pericardiocentesis and let me take KY home. This was about
2am. The fluid from the extraction was sent into the lab. Results
won't be in until Tuesday, possibly Wednesday. He seemed fine, a
little lethargic, but breathing well. Around 9pm this day(about 19
hours after procedure) he starts to get all frisky and acting like his
old self, finally eating and drinking. A little gassy, but otherwise
himself. Well, at 10:30 KY starts to have some difficulty breathing.
The labored breathing is about the same as it was for the previous
10-14 days before the collapse.

Unfortunately, cost is an issue. We have made the decision to wait for
results from the testing of the fluid. The question I ask is this: do
I take him in and spend the $500 to have the echocardiogram and
consultation with the cardiologist or wait until I get the test
results back? In the meantime, do I have them do another
pericardiocentesis? Please advise.

"gmanfan" wrote in message
s.com...
The question I ask is this: do
I take him in and spend the $500 to have the echocardiogram and
consultation with the cardiologist or wait until I get the test
results back? In the meantime, do I have them do another
pericardiocentesis? Please advise.

.............A tough decision, but I think your best bet is to call the ER
who did the procedure on him and ask.

......hoping for the best for your pup
buglady
take out the dog before replying

On Jul 6, 11:04 pm, gmanfan wrote:
I have a 7 year old, overweight miniature pinscher. He collapsed and
went unconscious while on a walk. After going to the ER we were told
he had a pericardial effusion. Some past indications: labored
breathing for about 10-14 days prior to the collapse.

They did a pericardiocentesis and let me take KY home. This was about
2am. The fluid from the extraction was sent into the lab. Results
won't be in until Tuesday, possibly Wednesday. He seemed fine, a
little lethargic, but breathing well. Around 9pm this day(about 19
hours after procedure) he starts to get all frisky and acting like his
old self, finally eating and drinking. A little gassy, but otherwise
himself. Well, at 10:30 KY starts to have some difficulty breathing.
The labored breathing is about the same as it was for the previous
10-14 days before the collapse.

Unfortunately, cost is an issue. We have made the decision to wait for
results from the testing of the fluid. The question I ask is this: do
I take him in and spend the $500 to have the echocardiogram and
consultation with the cardiologist or wait until I get the test
results back? In the meantime, do I have them do another
pericardiocentesis? Please advise.



As they probably told you, an effusion is fluid that is normally in
the bloodstream going to different areas of the body due to changes in
osmotic pressures. This means that the fluid is being forced into the
pocket around the heart (the pericardial sac) due to higher pressure
on the blood stream side.

So reducing the pressure on the blood stream side MAY reduce the
buildup of fluid in the pericardial sac. This is usually accomplished
short term by using a drug known as Lasix (furosemide), which has the
direct effect of causing more urination, sometimes much more. If the
fluid replacement is slowed down by reducing intake of water, then the
pressure should be reduced. The concern is becoming imbalanced the
other way with too low a pressure in the bloodstream, and then fluid
coming out of compartments in the body to replenish the bloodstream.
These compartments are usually the high fluid density areas such as
the brain, which can cause seizures or fainting as side effects.

Causes of the effusion HAVE to be addressed, or it will continue.
Thus they are culturing the fluid to look for bacterial infection
around the heart. Other tests that may be done are blood panels to
look for damage to the liver or kidney such that fluid builds up in
the bloodstream rather than being excreted. There may also be need
for urinalysis to verify that the kidney is pushing out the extra
bodily fluids like it is supposed to. Infections within the body can
also cause fluid imbalances, such as a heartworm infestation.

Short term management of the effusion is accomplished by extracting
the extra fluid, but this is only repeated a couple times at most.
Every needle stick brings the possibility of introducing an infection,
or damaging neighboring tissues.

Fluid management via diet requires going to low salt intake,
restricting access to unlimited water, and sometimes using a drug such
as lasix.