Pancreatic pseudocyst and pleural effusion as sequelae to pancreatitis in a dog

Abstract

<Dog’s name> an adult, female spayed Yorkshire Terrier presented to the Cornell University Small Animal Clinic on September 28, 1994. The dog had been treated successfully two weeks prior for pancreatitis. Based on clinical signs, blood work, radiographs and ultrasound, a diagnosis was made of an acute relapse of pancreatitis due to lack of owner compliance to diet changes. <Dog’s name> developed two rare complications of pancreatitis while being treated at Cornell: pancreatic pseudocyst and pleural effusion. The pancreatic pseudocyst was diagnosed and monitored with abdominal ultrasound. Based on serial monitoring of the pseudocyst with ultrasound, surgery was performed and the cyst was drained. The pleural effusion resolved with tapered fluid and diuretic therapy. <Dog’s name> is now doing well at home and is maintained on a low fat home cooked diet.