Author: Chelsea O’Donnell, RVN, CertVN ECC, ISFMCertFN

ABSTRACT Traumatic pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition requiring rapid assessment and intervention to prevent severe respiratory compromise and cardiovascular collapse. This case-based review describes the nursing management of a young dog that developed a persistent tension pneumothorax following a road traffic accident. The article outlines the pathophysiology of pneumothorax and discusses the role of the veterinary nurse in patient assessment, stabilisation and ongoing intensive care. Key aspects of nursing management include triage, oxygen supplementation, thoracostomy tube care, continuous thoracic drainage, pain assessment and multimodal analgesia, alongside monitoring for complications and evaluating the patient’s response to treatment. The case also highlights the use of advanced diagnostic imaging to guide clinical decision-making and the multidisciplinary approach required to manage patients with persistent pneumothorax requiring surgical intervention. Reflection on the case identified a knowledge gap regarding continuous thoracic drainage systems within the wider clinical team, leading to the implementation of targeted in-house training. This case demonstrates the importance of prompt recognition, thorough nursing assessment and vigilant monitoring in optimising patient outcomes, while highlighting the valuable contribution of veterinary nurses to the successful management and recovery of critically ill respiratory patients.
Keywords triage, pneumothorax, trauma, nursing

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56496/CXIU6863

To cite this article: O’Donnell, C. (2026) Nursing the canine patient with traumatic pneumothorax A case study and nursing care analysis. VNJ 41(5) pp 30-36

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