Pneumothorax Secondary to Accidental Electric Shock in a Bitch

Abstract

Background: Pneumothorax is characterized by the accumulation of air or gas in the pleural space. It is classified as spontaneous, which can be primary or secondary, and acquired, which can occur traumatically or iatrogenically. Episodes involving electric shock in animals have been reported in primates, in cattle and in dogs, while its association with pneumothorax has only been reported in humans, with no reports found in the veterinary literature regarding his occurrence in dogs. The present report aims to describe the diagnosis and treatment of a case of closed pneumothorax secondary to electric shock in a bitch.

Case: A 2-year-old Greyhound bitch was treated at the Santa Maria Veterinary Hospital, presenting dyspnea, anorexia, involuntary muscle contractures and a single episode of vomiting. In the anamnesis, the owner reported that the patient was moving in an area intended for cattle raising and was subjected to an electric shock when she came into contact with an electric fence in the left thoracic region, approximately 1 h before the appointment. According to information from the owner, the fence was energized with a voltage of 11,000 volts and a current of 5 milliamps. On clinical examination, a rectal temperature of 39.1°C, tachypnea, tachycardia and muffled cardiac auscultation were observed, with reduced respiratory sounds and digit-digital percussion on both sides of the chest with a muffled sound. 100% oxygen therapy was adopted via face mask and relief thoracentesis in the 8^th intercostal space of the left hemithorax, resulting in air drainage. The radiographic examination was requested as a complement for a better thoracic assessment, which revealed retraction of the lung lobes was visible with the pleural space occupied by air radiopacity content and cardiac elevation, with loss of cardiosternal contact, changes compatible with pneumothorax, more intense in left hemithorax, coinciding with the reported episode. In addition, hematological tests (blood count and biochemistry) were requested, which revealed no changes. Based on the clinical history, radiographic changes and positive pressure thoracentesis, the clinical suspicion of closed pneumothorax secondary to the electric shock episode was established. Then, clinical treatment was instituted, with continued oxygen therapy, electrolyte replacement via intravenous Ringer's lactate (5 mL/kg/h), analgesia with morphine [0.5 mg/kg, subcutaneously], and after performing trichotomy for thoracentesis in the 8^th intercostal space, in the most dorsal region, on both antimeres, with a 21G scalp needle, coupled to a 3-way valve and a 20 mL syringe on the right and left side.

Discussion:  Electric shock can occur in dogs of any age due to accidents with various objects that are connected to the electrical network. The victim's exposure time to the current directly influences the severity of the damage caused, which ranges from burns to sudden death, and can occur at points of contact between the source and the ground and also in internal organs.

This report provides relevant information on the occurrence of pneumothorax secondary to electric shock in a bitch, considering electrical injuries as little described in the veterinary literature. The adoption of emergency management appropriate to the case, as well as an accurate anamnesis, adequate clinical and radiographic examination, and the implementation of emergency procedures, such as thoracentesis, directly influenced the successful resolution of the reported case.

Keywords: electric shock, electric injury, pneumothorax, thoracentesis, dog.

Título: Pneumotórax secundário a choque elétrico acidental em uma cadela

Descritores: choque elétrico, injúria elétrica, pneumotórax, toracocentese, cão.