ACUTE MEDIASTINAL HEMORRHAGE AND HEMOTHORAX IN YOUNG-DOGS - 2 SUSPECTED CASES

Two young dogs, nine and 10 months of age, spontaneously developed sig ns referable to acute intrathoracic haemorrhage. Chest radiographs dem onstrated widening of the cranial mediastinum and pleural effusion in both cases. Historical, physical or laboratory findings consistent wit h trauma or anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning were not present in ei ther case. These findings are consistent with a syndrome described pre viously in dogs of this age group, in which acute haemorrhage into the mediastinum and haemothorax develop during thymic involution. Both ca ses recovered, the first after minimal supportive therapy, while the s econd dog required transfusion of fresh whole blood.