Anyone experienced with lung torsion?

A very good friend and coworker of mine has a delightful rescue pug named Feldman. He's 8 years old and quite the character.

Long story short: Feldman had what was originally diagnosed as pneumonia by the vet last week, but turned out to be lung torsion (diagnosed by a specialist yesterday). He required emergency surgery to remove several lobes of one of his lungs. It's similar to gastric torsion -- I guess the lung kind of twists on itself and parts of it die.

The specialist told my friend that pugs have a higher-than-normal incidence of lung torsion due to their deep chests. I did a little reading online this morning and found that reiterated on several veterinary sites.

Anyone have experience with lung torsion? They're keeping him sedated at the clinic until Thursday, because apparently it's very painful post-op. What kind of recovery can they expect for Feldman? (The specialist said it's extremely unlikely to happen again, which is a huge relief.)

I remember Feldman. Didn't he come through the SPCA on one of the puppy raids? I haven't had experience with that, but sending good thoughts to Feldman and his family.

Never heard of it. One more pug thing to be aware of I guess.

Wow, how very scary!! I am glad a specialist was able to accurately diagnose and treat.

I have never heard of this though.

Good thoughts to Feldman. Poor baby.

Rebecca and the Pugs wrote:I remember Feldman. Didn't he come through the SPCA on one of the puppy raids?

Yes, that's him! He was seized from a horrendous pet store that had more than 100 dead and dying puppies in 2002. If Roxane hadn't gone to court on behalf of the shelter, he'd probably still be in protective custody. (Actually, the shelter is SO much better run now, and when involved in cases like that, it's all handled very very well. It's like night and day from the way it used to be.) Feldman grew up to be the most adorable little 15-pound fawn boy.

I was surprised to read about lung torsion in pugs on so many websites this morning, when I'd never even heard of it before in DOGS, let alone PUGS. I guess there's always something new to learn, huh?

I've heard of it--but more in the racing/sight hounds than pugs. We've never seen a case of it in our rescue.

I have heard of it, but I've never had any experience with it. I hope he makes a very speedy recovery!

Entirely new to me. There are a lot of breeds with a lot more keel than pugs, I would have thought it would have been more common in those? Possibly a throw-away comment by the vet?

No personal experience, but one of my pug's breeders had a pug with it, she did fine after surgery.

No personal experience but I have heard of it one or 2 times with pugs. I think Dr. Byam might have had some experience with it...maybe send her a message on Facebook.

Poor little Feldman! He's such a doll...tell Linda I'll keep both of them in my prayers.