In a dog with congestive heart failure due to mitral valve insufficiency who is dyspneic with ventral edema, which procedure is appropriate to perform to aid breathing?

• A. Thoracocentesis
• B. Thoracotomy
• C. Euthanasia
• D. Antibiotics only

Answer: (A)

Relieving fluid buildup in the chest to allow the lungs to expand is the key idea. In this dog with congestive heart failure from mitral valve insufficiency, fluid accumulates in the pleural space and chest compresses the lungs, making breathing very hard. Removing that fluid with thoracentesis quickly eases the compressive effect, improves lung expansion, and reduces the work of breathing, giving rapid relief from dyspnea. The other options are not appropriate for immediate respiratory support: thoracotomy is a major surgical approach not intended to provide quick relief from fluid overload, euthanasia isn’t a solution for a treatable breathing problem, and antibiotics alone won’t address the fluid accumulation causing the dyspnea.