EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

Big E was cleaning out Grilfriends wound right below her sternum from this weekends hunt when somehow air got in around her lungs and collapsed them. She went into emergencey surgery last night and is still critical this morning, but alive and responsive (she wagged her tail when Marshall said her name) She's our top gyp and a Great producer. we are all sick and just hope she survives. Its a long road to recovery even if she does make it. Been saying  our prayers


Has anyone ever had experience with dogs that have collapsed lungs and survive?? What is the recovery rate?

Sure was a rough weekend on the dogs... hope she pulls through.

How's that black pup doing?

he's ok Mike, it didnt hit anything vital other than the femoral artery. everything around his equipment came out fine

Should pull through fine.  A buddys dogs got their lungs deflated a couple times and both lived through it.

Seen it multiple times. So far, knock on wood, I haven't seen one not make it through. The only ones I have seen not make 100% recovery were from punctured lungs. A couple that had punctured lungs seemed to run out of wind a little quicker than they did before the injury. About 95% of Tue collapsed lungs I have seen have been due to air getting into the chest/abdominal cavity. She should be fine in a couple of days.

One of my mine had it happen two years ago and she spent four days at the vet and some time before she was in the woods again but she did make it.  Good luck to her and sorry to hear that. 

If they can get the negative air pressure re-established in the plural cavity then the lungs can inflate and the dog can breath normally.  The bigger issue now is trying to determine if the lungs were damaged from being collapsed too long or if fluid builds up in the lungs you have issues with infection.  Good luck with her and we will all say a prayer for her.
Matt

Thanks everyone.. Barring an infection she's gonna pull through. She's up and fully functioning, just not eating yet. Scary deal for all of us

A friend if mines best cur dog got a punctured lung he pulled through the surgery but the antibiotics later shut down his kidneys might have to watch out for that

That is a bad deal seen it a few times good luck with her

Prayers sent guys! Ya'll sure did have some battles that weekend huh? Good luck and hope she makes a full recovery.

Sounds like she's a fighter.  Hope she heals up just fine.

Tony I sure hate to hear that, but glad she's pulling on through.  It was a tough weekend for sure on yalls dogs. Makes you second guess whether to put her up or not at least until you can make another cross.

X 10! We have 7 dogs out of her still alive, but only 2 females. She will be put up until another litter can be produced and raised from her. We have to figure out a way to keep these gyp pups out of her alive.

Thanks everyone

Yeah that gyp has earned the right to lay up and raise puppies if any of em has  ;)

Best of luck and hope yall will go all out with the antibiotics on her to keep away any secondary infections. she sounds like she is valuable as a producer

Tony........Sorry to hear about that.  I've seen it twice on my dads dogs and both dogs recovered with minimal permanent damage after the vet fixed them up.  

Matt is right about what he said.  The initial danger and threat to life is not being able to breath due to the colapsed lung.  Then comes the danger of infection.  Sounds like she is going in the right direction.  

We carry a "chest seal" on the ambulance which we use for open chest wounds like that.  Basically its a plastic bandage with a one way "valve" that lets air out but does not let air into the lung cavity.  But in a pinch you can make one out of a latex glove cut the tip off one of the fingers and that finger acts as the "valve"  You can also just use a piece of plastic material thats taped over the wound on three sides it will act as a one was valve.  I've never used the home made versions.  And carry the pre packaged chest seal in my cut bag.

Just some videos to show what I was talking about.  The same theory applies to dogs just the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfk6dqxMvNI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=kYwv4F99w8Y&feature=endscreen

Waylon

How's she doing?

She came home yesterday, gonna make a full recovery. Doubt she'll be doing much hunting til we get another litter or 2 out of her. It sucks because she's a real nice gyp to hunt behind, but we'll make do

Great news Tony.  Bet y'all are excited about them future litters!