Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cough from tracheobronchial foreign bodies in UK dogs and cats
By Pedro Alves et al.·Published in Animals·2026·DWR Veterinary Specialists, Part of Linnaeus Veterinary Ltd., Station Farm, London Road, Six Mile Bottom, Cambridgeshire CB8 0UH, UK, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Canine and Feline Tracheobronchial Foreign Bodies: A UK Multi-Centre Study
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs and cats were brought in for coughing due to inhaling foreign objects, which is more common in dogs. The most affected breed was the Labrador retriever, and many cases occurred during the summer months. Vets used imaging techniques like CT scans to locate the objects, which were successfully removed using a bronchoscope in most cases. All pets recovered well and were discharged after treatment.
People also search for: dog coughing foreign object · Labrador retriever tracheobronchial foreign body · cat coughing treatment · bronchoscopic removal of foreign body in pets
Abstract
Inhalation of foreign material is an uncommon condition that occurs more often in dogs than cats. The main aim of this study was to describe signalment, diagnostic investigation, management and outcomes of dogs and cats with tracheobronchial foreign bodies (TBFBs) in four UK referral centres. Ninety-two dogs and 14 cats with a diagnosis of intraluminal TBFBs between January 2012 and July 2019 were included. Labrador retriever was the most commonly represented canine breed (22/92). Cough was the most common presenting complaint, occurring in 89/92 dogs and 9/14 cats. Summer seasonality was recorded in 74/88 dogs, but no feline seasonality was observed. Radiographic suspected TBFB location agreed with definitive location in 15/22 dogs and 2/2 cats. CT-suspected TBFB location and definitive location agreed in 45/46 dogs and 4/5 cats. Most common TBFB location was right caudal lobe bronchus in dogs (35/97) and trachea in cats (6/14). One of 100 canine TBFBs and nine of 14 feline TBFBs were non-vegetal. Single-attempt bronchoscopic retrieval was successful in 88/92 dogs and 13/14 cats. Surgical retrieval was performed in 4/92 dogs. All patients survived to discharge. This study suggests a pattern of canine TBFB seasonality in the UK. Imaging was useful to guide localisation, and CT appeared more accurate at predicting TBFB location than radiography in dogs. Bronchoscopic TBFB removal was commonly successful, with excellent survival rates. Presenting signs, patterns of seasonality, imaging findings, and management outcomes are useful to help clinical reasoning and decision management in the practical setting.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16050726