I need a vet’s opinion (diaphragmatic rupture) [URGENT]
Hello I need help deciding what to do next to in order to save my beloved dog since he is in a life threatening condition, Ruffo is a two-year, 31 kg(66.1 pounds),-Old English Sheepdog, which we rescued a year ago he’s always been playful and full of love, makes friend with every dog he sees and even tries to pet our cat with his huge paws, he literally sits like a human and behaves like a puppy, he loves playing and one time while doing so jumped too high and landed on his side, ever since things had gotten worse and now we fear for his life
If you can spare some of your time it might help us make the right choice in order to save him
Thanks in advance!
I’ll start by describing the case. Ruffo injured himself while playing on October 20 last year, it’s been 5 months since, at the beginning, he would just avoid jumping and got tired fast, but his condition has worsen over time. Now he can’t run nor jump. Has difficulty breathing specially while laying down and gets agitated just by barking or even walking too much.
These are his X-rays from October, others from a month ago and an echography from yesterday
We took him to see 3 vets over that time:
The first one, said a surgery was too risky and did not have the equipment (ventilator) to perform it, eighter so, the Vet treated the immediate problem (accumulation of fluid in the lungs) by prescribing him diuretics named furosemide 80mg every 12 hours. We followed this treatment, but as I said earlier, he got worse over the time, so we searched for someone who could operate him.
The second veterinarian we took him said he could perform the surgery; he has a ventilator but didn’t acknowledge the fluid in the lungs by examining the X-rays and can’t provide post-surgery care which by what I read is an important part of the procedure.
So we found a third option, a veterinary clinic that has a ventilator as well, they performed an echography and determined the rupture is 6cm long (2.3 inches), no organs are invading the thoracic cavity, yet there is too much fluid difficulting his breathing. They said a surgery is not possible, arguing. they lack the equipment to keep the thoracic pressure in check. I don’t know if that’s supposed to be something more than the ventilator which they have. They suggested a “puncture” to remove the fluid for the time being, but it isn`t a definitive solution and they only have a 5% rate of success on this procedure meaning 95% of the times the pets die.
Since we seem to be out of options, I need another experienced opinion.
1-Based on the information I provided, what’s your diagnosis?
2-Precisely what equipment is required to perform the surgery? Is a Ventilator enough?
3-Should we go ahead with the puncture? Is it needed before the surgery or can the fluid be removed while performing the intervention? Is it really that risky?
4-Woud he need a net to hold or patch the rupture? if so what kind of net and does a human’s one works as well?
5-Any other advice?
Thanks for your time and hep!
