Isolated left hypoplasia of the pulmonary artery accompanied by lung hypoplasia and chronic bronchial disease in a cat.

A 2-year-old castrated Russian Blue cat presented with inappetence, depression, and labored respirations. Radiography findings suggested left lung atelectasis; however, the ultrasonography findings did not indicate lung atelectasis. The left pulmonary artery (PA) was abnormally small on echocardiography; further, there were no other cardiac anomalies. Computed tomography revealed an abnormally small left PA and left lung. Furthermore, bronchiectasis and tree-in-bud patterns were observed in the lung lobes. Based on these findings, the cat was diagnosed with isolated left PA hypoplasia, presumed left lung hypoplasia, and feline chronic bronchial disease. Early diagnosis of this disease is important because it can cause serious complications, including recurrent respiratory infection, bronchiectasis, massive hemoptysis, and pulmonary hypertension.

[Overview of canine eosinophilic lung and bronchial diseases]. / Übersicht über die eosinophilen Lungen- und Bronchialerkrankungen des Hundes.

In dogs with chronic cough eosinophilic lung disease (ELD) may be present, especially in young dogs. A breed predisposition has been described in Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies. Chronic cough is the most common clinical sign. Other symptoms include nasal discharge, sneezing, poly- or dyspnea and exercise intolerance. The exact pathogenesis is unknown. Type 1 hypersensitivity reaction is suspected. Eosinophilic lung diseases may be classified into different groups (eosinophilic bronchitis, eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy and eosinophilic granuloma). Diagnostic work-up includes hematology, imaging, bronchoscopy and cytologic examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. A wide spectrum is present in terms of the expression and severity of the changes. The current reported treatment is systemic or inhaled glucocorticoids, or a combination of both.Most patients respond well to therapy. Relapses after treatment discontinuation are common.

Intradermal testing and serum allergen-specific IgE-testing in cats with naturally occurring feline bronchial disease.

OBJECTIVES: While feline asthma (FA) is considered to be of allergic origin, the etiology of feline chronic bronchitis (CB) to date is unknown. Aim of the study was to compare the results of intradermal testing (IDT) and serum testing for allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (SAT) in cats diagnosed with FA and CB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-seven client-owned cats with clinical signs, suggestive of feline inflammatory bronchial disease (FBD) were prospectively enrolled in the study. Patients were assigned to 3 groups based on results of bronchoalveolar-lavage-fluid (BALF)-cytology: FA (n=8), CB (n=10), or cats with a physiological BALF cytology (PB; n=9). A standardized IDT for 27 allergens was performed in all cats. In addition, allergen-specific IgE was measured in serum samples using an FcεRIα-ELISA. The number of positive reactions in both tests was compared between groups, and agreement between test results of both tests was evaluated. RESULTS: Regarding the number of positive reactions, no statistically significant difference was detected between groups in IDT (p=0.65) and SAT (p=0.51). When comparing the 2 test systems, a weak correlation was found for the allergens Tyrophagus putrescentiae (k=0.256), Dermatophagoides farinae (k=0.276), and rye (k=0.273). The most commonly observed reactions were to house dust mites, storage mites, rye and nettle in IDT and to sheep sorrel, storage mites, and house dust mites in SAT. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: IDT and SAT in cats with feline inflammatory bronchial disease (FBD) cannot be used interchangeably for allergen detection. Sensitization to environmental allergens can occur in cats with and without airway inflammation. Therefore, a positive test result should always be assessed in context with clinical signs and allergen exposure.

An observational study of the role of indoor air pollution in pets with naturally acquired bronchial/lung disease.

BACKGROUND: Indoor air pollution (IAP) is an emerging issue for both human and veterinary patients under the concept of 'One Health'. The association between IAP and respiratory disease in companion animals has been reported. OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the relationship between quantifiable indoor air quality and clinical characteristics of naturally acquired bronchial/lung disease in pet dogs and cats. METHODS: A total of 36 clinical cases (20 dogs and 16 cats) with naturally acquired bronchial/lung disease were prospectively recruited. Lower airway samples were collected and analysed, and clinical signs and the information from pulmonary function testing were examined. Indoor air quality was estimated by the average concentration of particles measuring ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5, µg/m3 ) and volatile organic compounds (VOC, ppm) in the animals' domestic microenvironments. RESULTS: Exposure to IAP was not found to be correlated with the severity of clinical signs, pulmonary function changes or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology in cats with bronchial/lung disease. However, a hypercellular response in canine lower airways was found to be associated with poor indoor air quality, including unacceptable indoor PM2.5 levels (>35 µg/m3 ) or increases in VOC concentration (>1 ppm) in places most commonly frequented by the dogs in the home. CONCLUSIONS: Poor indoor air quality may exacerbate airway disease in pets and should not be ignored in modern society.

Pulmonary pythiosis in a canine patient.

A Staffordshire terrier presented for evaluation of a chronic, nonproductive cough that was unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. A large mass identified in the pulmonary hilum was most consistent with tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy on radiographic and computed tomography (CT) images. Bronchoscopy confirmed a mass compressing the dorsal portion of the intrathoracic trachea. Bronchoscopic biopsies of the tracheal mass revealed necrosuppurative and eosinophilic inflammation with intralesional Pythium insidiousum hyphae. Pythiosis should be included as a differential diagnosis for tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy and bronchopneumopathy in dogs, especially when the patient is from or has visited a region endemic for Pythium insidiosum.

The computed tomographic "tree-in-bud" pattern: Characterization and comparison with radiographic and clinical findings in 36 cats.

In humans, a CT "tree-in-bud" pattern has been described as a characteristic of centrilobular bronchiolar dilation, with bronchiolar plugging by mucus, pus, or fluid. Aims of this retrospective, descriptive, multi-center study were to characterize the CT appearance of a "tree-in-bud" pattern in a group of cats, and compare this pattern with radiographic and clinical findings. Databases from four hospitals were searched during the period of January 2012 to September 2015 and cats with thoracic radiographs, thoracic CT scans and CT reports describing findings consistent with a "tree-in-bud" pattern were included. Images were reviewed by two veterinary radiologists and characteristics were recorded based on consensus. Clinical findings were recorded by one observer from each center. Thirty-six cats met inclusion criteria. Six cats were asymptomatic, 12 were diagnosed with bronchial disease and 23 were suspected to have bronchial disease. Right cranial and right caudal lung lobes were most commonly affected on both imaging modalities. Localization of the "tree-in-bud" pattern was most often peripheral. On radiographs, the CT "tree-in-bud" pattern often appeared as soft-tissue opacity nodules; their number and affected pulmonary segments were often underestimated compared with CT. In conclusion, the "tree-in-bud" pattern should be considered as a differential diagnosis for radiographic soft tissue opaque nodules in feline lungs. Based on lesion localization and presence or suspicion of a concomitant bronchial disease for cats in this sample, authors propose that the CT "tree-in-bud" pattern described in humans is also a characteristic of bronchial or bronchiolar plugging and bronchial disease in cats.

Computed tomographic findings in 15 dogs with eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy.

Eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy is a disease characterized by the infiltration of the lung and bronchial mucosa by eosinophils. The aim of the present study was to describe the CT findings in a large series of dogs with confirmed diagnosis of eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy. Computed tomographic scans of 15 dogs with confirmed diagnosis of eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy were evaluated retrospectively by two boarded radiologists who reached a consensus. Abnormalities were identified in 14/15 (93%) dogs, including pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities in 14/15 (93%) dogs, bronchial wall thickening in 13 (87%) dogs, which was considered marked in eight (53%), plugging of the bronchial lumen by mucus/debris in 11 (73%) dogs, and bronchiectasis in nine (60%) dogs. Pulmonary nodules were identified in 5/15 (33%) dogs including one dog with a mass. All dogs with a nodular lung pattern had additional abnormalities. Lymphadenopathy was present in 10 dogs (67%). Lesions associated with eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy are variable and heterogeneous and encompass a wider variety of computed tomographic features than reported previously. Computed tomographic images were abnormal in the majority of affected dogs, hence CT is a useful modality to characterize the nature and distribution of thoracic lesions in dogs with eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy.

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum canine surfactant protein A concentrations in dogs with chronic cough by bronchial and interstitial lung diseases.

We measured bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum canine surfactant protein (cSP)-A concentrations in dogs with chronic cough. There were no significant differences between bronchial and interstitial lung diseases in BALF cSP-A concentrations. However, serum cSP-A concentrations in dogs with the interstitial lung disease as diffuse panbronchiolitis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were significantly higher than those in dogs with the bronchial disease as chronic bronchitis. These results suggest that serum cSP-A concentrations may be a useful and noninvasive biomarker to understand the existence of interstitial lung damage in dogs with chronic cough.

Lower respiratory tract endoscopy in the cat: diagnostic approach to bronchial disease.

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: Respiratory endoscopy is a useful diagnostic tool to evaluate the airways for the presence of mass lesions or foreign material while allowing for sample collection for cytologic and microbiologic assessment. While bronchial disease (eosinophilic or neutrophilic) is the most common lower respiratory disease identified in cats, infectious, anomalous and neoplastic conditions can clinically mimic inflammatory bronchial disease. Diagnostic imaging is unable to define the etiology for clinical signs of cough, tachypnea or respiratory difficulty, necessitating visual evaluation and collection of airway samples. Endoscopy allows intervention that can be life-saving and also confirmation of disease, which is important given that life-long medication is likely to be required for management of inflammatory airway disease. PATIENT GROUP: Cats with either airway or pulmonary disease benefit from laryngoscopy, tracheoscopy and bronchoscopy to determine an etiologic diagnosis. In the best situation, animals that require these procedures present early in the course of disease before clinical decompensation precludes anesthetic intervention. However, in some instances, these tests must be performed in unstable cats, which heightens the risk of the procedure. Cats that do not respond to empiric medical therapy can also benefit from bronchoscopic evaluation. CLINICAL CHALLENGES: Due to the small size of feline airways and the tendency for cats to develop laryngospasm, passage of endoscopic equipment can be difficult. Bronchoconstriction can lead to hemoglobin desaturation with oxygen and respiratory compromise. EVIDENCE BASE: This article reviews published studies and case reports pertaining to the diagnostic approach to feline respiratory disease, focusing specifically on endoscopic examination of the lower airways in cats. It also discusses appropriate case selection, equipment, endoscopic techniques and visual findings based primarily on the authors' experiences.

Imaging diagnosis-pulmonary-tracheobronchial prolapse in a new Caledonian giant gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus).

A 3-year-old male New Caledonian giant gecko, or Leach's gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus) presented with acute lethargy and coelomic distention. Findings from survey radiographs and an upper gastrointestinal tract contrast study were consistent with severe aerophagia, a collapsed left lung, and hyperinflation of the right lung due to suspected bronchial obstruction. The gecko was treated with conservative medical management, but was found dead 5 days after presentation. Necropsy findings showed intussusception of the proximal left lung into the left mainstem bronchus and trachea.

Síndrome de Kartagener em um cão (Canis lupus familiaris) da raça Cocker Spaniel Inglês / Kartagener's syndrome in an English Cocker Spaniel dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

Kartagener is syndrome is a rare disorder described in dogs determined by the triad situs inversus totalis, chronic sinusitis, and bronchial disease. The clinical signs of chronic respiratory and other less common presentations (such as hydrocephalus and subfertility) are due to a concomitant ciliary dysfunction. This article describes the clinical, radiographic, and computed tomography findings and treatment in a dog affected by Kartagener is syndrome since early months of life. This is the first case report of this syndrome in a domestic dog in Brazil and the only known scientific report in the English Cocker Spaniel.

Use of propentofylline in feline bronchial disease: prospective, randomized, positive-controlled study.

Propentofylline is a methylxanthine derivative with bronchodilating actions similar to those of theophylline. Nineteen cats with bronchial disease were enrolled in this study. All cats received a low dose of prednisolone; 10 of the cats additionally received propentofylline. Propentofylline-treated cats significantly improved in their auscultation scores, respiratory pattern scores, and radiological bronchial markings score over the observation period, and they coughed less and slept less at the end of the study. No significant changes were noted in the control group. This study provides evidence that a combination therapy with prednisolone and propentofylline in cats with bronchial disease might be superior over monotherapy with prednisolone.

Radiographic abnormalities in cats with feline bronchial disease and intra- and interobserver variability in radiographic interpretation: 40 cases (1999-2006).

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of various radiographic signs in cats with feline bronchial disease (FBD) and evaluate intra- and interobserver variability in radiographic interpretation for examiners with variable degrees of experience in radiographic interpretation. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 40 cats with FBD and 40 control cats without thoracic disease. PROCEDURES: Radiographic abnormalities in cats with FBD were scored by consensus of 2 radiologists. Radiographs of control cats and cats with FBD were examined twice by 5 other individuals, and diagnostic accuracy and observer agreement were assessed. RESULTS: In cats with FBD, the most common radiographic signs were bronchial (n=37) and unstructured interstitial (30) lung patterns, lung hyperinflation (31) and hyperlucency (21), aerophagia (19), and lung soft tissue opacities (11). Ratios of lung inflation on ventrodorsal views were significantly higher in cats with FBD. For the 5 examiners, sensitivity ranged from 71% to 89% and specificity ranged from 43% to 74%. Intraobserver agreement was good (N=0.47 to 0.60), but the agreement between examiners was only poor to good (N=0.22 to 0.70). For most examiners, significant associations were found between examiner diagnosis (correct vs incorrect), level of examiner certainty, and bronchial pattern severity. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggested that several radiographic abnormalities can commonly be seen in cats with FBD but highlighted the limitations of thoracic radiography. Examiner diagnosis and level of confidence were significantly associated with severity of a bronchial pattern.

Clenbuterol and the horse revisited.

Clenbuterol is a beta(2)-agonist and potent selective bronchodilator that is used to treat bronchospasm in the horse. The drug is normally administered to horses orally as a syrup formulation. Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, clenbuterol has the potential to cause many side effects, including a repartitioning effect and major alterations in cardiac and skeletal muscle function. Recent studies have also reported that clenbuterol can affect bone and the immune, endocrine and reproductive systems. A great deal of information has been published on the beneficial effects of short term therapeutic doses of clenbuterol on the equine respiratory system, although there is limited information about chronic administration, particularly since this has been associated with adverse physiological effects on other systems. This review summarizes the relevant understanding of clenbuterol for clinicians and horse owners who may administer this drug to pleasure and performance horses.

Thrombi in the trachea of a dog secondary to placement of a tracheotomy tube.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 7-year-old Spaniel-crossbreed dog was evaluated for stertorous breathing and inspiratory stridor. CLINICAL FINDINGS: A temporary tracheotomy tube was placed prior to referral. Results of physical examination at our facility, including thoracic auscultation, were unremarkable. Examination of the larynx revealed a 2 x 2-cm nodular mass on the lateral aspect of the epiglottis and left arytenoid cartilage. Cytologic examination of the mass indicated septic suppurative inflammation and intracellular rod-shaped bacteria. During the procedures, decreased air movement through the temporary tracheotomy tube was detected, and the tube was replaced. A thrombus was found on the distal end of the temporary tracheotomy tube; the thrombus obstructed 90% of the tube lumen. Approximately 12 hours later, auscultation revealed decreased sounds in all lung fields. Cervical and thoracic radiography revealed an intraluminal soft tissue opacity distal to the tracheotomy tube. A thrombus that contained hair and plant material was removed from the trachea by use of an embolectomy catheter and videogastroscope. Approximately 30 hours after removal of the initial thrombus, the dog had an episode of respiratory distress. Cervical radiography revealed another intraluminal opacity. It was another thrombus, which also was removed by use of the videogastroscope. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Tracheoscopy was performed with a videogastroscope in an attempt to remove the thrombi. A Fogarty catheter was used to remove the initial intraluminal thrombus from the trachea. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Airway obstruction resulting from an intraluminal thrombus in the trachea should be considered as a secondary complication after tracheotomy tube placement.

Broncholithiasis in a cat: clinical findings, long-term evolution and histopathological features.

A 14-year-old neutered male Persian cat was evaluated because of an acute exacerbation of a chronic cough of 2-3 years of duration. Physical examination was normal except for the auscultation of accentuated breath sounds and wheezes cranially on both sides of the chest. Complete blood count, biochemical parameters and urinalysis were normal. Thoracic radiographs showed a generalised nodular pattern with multiple mineral opacities. Oral prednisone and doxycycline were prescribed. Two weeks later, the frequency of the cough was significantly reduced. Terbutaline was recommended for relief of acute exacerbations. Three years later the cat was evaluated again due to a non-related disease that led to the euthanasia of the cat. Concerning its respiratory disease, the cat had experienced nearly asymptomatic periods of 3-6 weeks of duration punctuated by acute exacerbation periods of 7-10 days, during which terbutaline was useful to relieve the cough. Thoracic radiographs showed a mild increase in the size and extent of the pulmonary mineralisation. Histopathologically, mild bronchitis and bronchiectasis were evident, accompanied by calcified bronchial plugs and marked hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the seromucinous glands. Based on clinical and pathoanatomical findings, a final diagnosis of miliary broncholithiasis and bronchiectasis was made. Broncholithiasis should be considered in differential diagnosis of pulmonary mineralisation in cats. When no concomitant diseases are present, this rare disease appears to have a slowly progressive evolution that does not appear to carry a bad prognosis and may be satisfactorily managed with combinations of bronchodilators and corticosteroids.

Endoscopic bronchial anatomy in the cat.

The aim of this paper is to define the endoscopic bronchial anatomy of the cat and to adapt these findings to the bronchoscopic nomenclature previously described for the dog by Amis and McKiernan (Amis TC, McKiernan BC (1986) Systematic identification of endobronchial anatomy during bronchoscopy in the dog. American Journal of Veterinary Research 47(12), 2649-2657). In this study, the normal endoscopic bronchial anatomy was identified based on analysis of 10 air-dried feline lungs, two euthanased and eight healthy anesthetized cats using either a rigid or a flexible endoscope. Endoscopic photographs were taken during the examinations in the anesthetized cats for a photographic atlas. Corrosion casts were made from the 10 air-dried lungs to confirm the anatomy identified by bronchoscopy. With the results of our findings a bronchoscopic map of the feline bronchial tree and a photographic bronchoscopic atlas of the healthy cat were made.

Intravenous and intratracheal administration of trimetoquinol, a fast-acting short-lived bronchodilator in horses with 'heaves'.

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Trimetoquinol (TMQ) is a potent beta-adrenoceptor agonist bronchodilator used in human medicine but has not been evaluated for potential use as a therapeutic agent for horses with 'heaves'. OBJECTIVES: To assess the pharmacodynamics of TMQ in horses with 'heaves' to determine potential therapeutic effects. METHODS: Increasing doses of TMQ were administered to horses with 'heaves' by i.v. and intratracheal (i.t.) routes. Doses ranged 0.001-0.2 microg/kg bwt i.v. and 0.01-2 microg/kg bwt i.t. Cardiac and airways effects were assessed by measurement of heart rate (HR) and maximal change in pleural pressure (deltaPplmax), respectively. Side effects of sweating, agitation and muscle trembling were scored subjectively. Duration of action to i.v. (0.2 microg/kg bwt) and i.t. (2 microg/kg bwt) TMQ was evaluated over 6 h. RESULTS: Intravenous TMQ was an exceptionally potent cardiac stimulant. Heart rate increased at 0.01 microg/kg bwt, and was still increasing after administration of highest dose, 0.2 microg/kg bwt. Airway bronchodilation, measured as a decrease in deltaPplmax, also commenced at 0.01 microg/kg bwt. By the i.t. route, TMQ was 50-100-fold less potent than by i.v. Side effects included sweating, agitation and muscle trembling. Overall, the onset of HR and bronchodilator effects was rapid, within about 3 min, but effects were over at 2 h. CONCLUSION: When administered i.v. and i.t., TMQ is a highly potent cardiac stimulant and a modest bronchodilator. It may not be an appropriate pharmacological agent by i.v. and i.t. routes for the alleviation of signs in horses with 'heaves'. Further studies of TMQ by oral and aerosol routes are necessary. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: In horses, TMQ is a fast-acting bronchodilator with a short duration of action. It could be used as a rescue agent during an episode of 'heaves'. The i.v. and i.t. administration of TMQ is associated with side effects, similar to those reported for all other beta-agonists. However, other routes, such as aerosol and oral, may prove useful and safe for the alleviation of bronchoconstriction typical of 'heaves'.