Therapeutic approaches to the companion animal pneumothorax: A review for veterinary practice

Abstract This narrative literature review critically evaluates current evidence on the management of pneumothorax in dogs and cats, reviewing surgical and nonsurgical treatment strategies according to underlying etiology to support evidence‐based clinical decision‐making. Published studies involving dogs and cats with pneumothorax were reviewed, with emphasis on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of the condition and outcomes associated with surgical and nonsurgical treatments across different etiologies. Current evidence indicates that both medical and surgical management can achieve favorable outcomes, with low reported recurrence rates when appropriately selected. Nonsurgical approaches may provide effective, minimally invasive treatment in selected cases, whereas surgical intervention enables direct thoracic exploration, identification and correction of underlying pulmonary lesions, and definitive treatment of refractory or severe pneumothorax. Treatment selection should be guided by disease etiology, severity, patient stability, available resources, and clinician expertise. Both surgical and nonsurgical treatments can be effective when tailored to the underlying cause and clinical presentation, highlighting the importance of individualized treatment planning to optimize outcomes. This review synthesizes current evidence to guide clinical decision‐making in the management of pneumothorax in dogs and cats and highlights the need for high‐quality studies evaluating long‐term outcomes to strengthen the evidence base.