Pulmonary Edema

[~Anne~]

I have had a little Pug come in that has been on Frusemide since being diagnosed with pulmonary edema in May. Tests have apparently revealed that the heart is ok?

I am taking her to be reassessed by my Vet as I don't like the thought that fluid is collecting inher lungs just 'because'' and I would rahter a definite.

Has anyone else had any expereince with fluid in the lungs and the causes. Little Mollie is not yet 7 so age would not be a big contributing factor I wouldn't think.

[Poodle wrangler]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulmonary_edema

The possible non-heart causes that seemed possible were:

# Inhalation of toxic gases

# Severe infection

# Pulmonary contusion, i.e. high-energy trauma

# Multitrauma, e.g. severe car accident

# Aspiration, e.g. gastric fluid or in case of drowning

# Upper airway obstruction

If the heart's OK, I'm not sure. Heart failure is one of the most common causes and that's usually what Frusemide is prescribed for : It reduces the amount of fluid in the circulation. Hope she's OK.

[~Anne~]

Thanks for that Poodle wrangler but I think I could safely rule all of that out. I am also aware of certain cancers fo the lung that cause fluid build up but I am not sure that cancer of the lungs is common in dogs?

Anyone else with any experiences with this?

How do you manage the medication/water/urination issues?

[Poodle wrangler]

With cancers, people usually get a "pleural effusion" which is different again- has to be drained using a needle and can be > a litre of protein-filled fluid, if severe. Frusemide has no effect on it.

In humans, frusemide is always given in the morning. If it's a twice a day dose then both earlier in the day e.g. 8AM and 12 or 2PM, so they're not up to the toilet all night.

wizard1 had a post on dobes with heart failure who are on frusemide. Same drug, different disease.