Spontaneous lung lobe torsion in two pugs

Two, young adult, male pugs presented for spontaneous left-cranial lung lobe torsions. Clinical signs associated with these two cases included increased weakness, increased respiratory effort, tachypnea, acute collapse, lethargy, anorexia, and cyanosis. The torsed lung lobes were excised using a thoracoabdominal stapling device without detorsing the lobes. Both dogs recovered uneventfully, and at least one year postoperatively, no clinical abnormalities were noted by their owners. Results of this report suggest that spontaneous lung lobe torsion in pugs occurs and should be a differential diagnosis for pugs with increased respiratory effort, tachypnea, nonproductive cough, acute collapse, cyanosis, and lethargy. Surgical excision may be curative.