Surprising Condition

Editor’s Note: There are times when the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital Emergency and Critical Care must turn away patients because it has reached capacity with critical cases. Lincoln is an example of a case that required a long-term stay.

When Lincoln recently arrived at the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital Emergency and Critical Care unit, he was in critical condition.

That surprised the veterinarians in the College of Veterinary Medicine service. Lincoln, a seven-year-old Munsterlander, had a pyothorax, which is an accumulation of pus within the chest cavity.

“In most cases, pyothorax patients are not as critically ill as Lincoln was,” said Dr. Ingrid Preteseille, emergency and critical care resident. “It is quite uncommon for these cases to require vasopressor support or mechanical ventilation.”

But Lincoln required both. He was prescribed multiple drugs to help raise blood pressure and improve his blood flow. He also underwent 24 hours of mechanical ventilation in addition to two surgeries.

At the time of his initial surgery, Lincoln’s condition was listed as guarded given the severity of his condition. He also required a second surgery due to his stitched incision coming open.

After almost two weeks in the Hixson-Lied ICU, Lincoln went home and his prognosis is good according to Preteseille.