Example A 9 year old female Golden Retriever is presented for a 2 week history of a cough. The referring veterinarian originally attempted to treat her symptoms with antibiotics, suspecting a mild pneumonia. When the cough did not improve in a few days the veterinarian obtained radiographs of the chest and found a solitary mass in the left lung lobe. Blood tests to evaluate white and red blood cell counts and function of major organs were within normal limits. The dog was referred to an ACVS surgeon for removal of the tumor.
Dogs have seven lobes or branches of lung.
Four are on the right side or midline and two are on the left side. The most current and advanced anesthetic protocols are used to insure a safe surgical procedure and recovery for the patient. Patient monitoring devices include an electrocardiogram, blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter and blood gas monitoring to measure adequate oxygenation of the tissues. When performing surgery in the chest cavity the patient must also be ventilated during the procedure. Most anesthetic agents permit the patient to breathe on their own, however when the chest cavity is opened there is a loss of the normal vacuum that surrounds lungs and keeps them from being able to inflate.