Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
West Highland White Terriers with lung fibrosis have low oxygen
By Heikkilä, H P et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2011·Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical, bronchoscopic, histopathologic, diagnostic imaging, and arterial oxygenation findings in West Highland White Terriers with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of West Highland White Terriers was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a serious lung disease that causes breathing problems. These dogs showed symptoms like low oxygen levels and changes in their lungs seen on X-rays and CT scans. The vets found that all the affected dogs had specific lung changes during examinations, and their lung function was significantly impaired. Unfortunately, IPF can lead to severe breathing difficulties, and while treatments were not detailed, managing the symptoms and monitoring lung health is crucial for these dogs.
People also search for: West Highland White Terrier breathing problems · idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment for dogs · dog lung disease symptoms
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, interstitial lung disease primarily affecting West Highland White Terriers (WHWTs). OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinicopathological and diagnostic imaging features in WHWTs with IPF. ANIMALS: Twelve WHWTs with IPF and 14 healthy control WHWTs. METHOD: Prospective study. Clinical signs and findings of physical examination, blood and arterial blood gas analyses, radiography, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of IPF dogs were obtained and compared with controls. Histopathologic changes in IPF dogs were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean partial pressure of oxygen was significantly lower in IPF (mean ± SD, 65.5 ± 15.4 mmHg) than in controls (99.1 ± 7.8 mmHg, P<.001). The alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient was significantly higher in IPF (50.1 ± 17.3 mmHg) than in controls (17.5 ± 4.9 mmHg, P<.001). In HRCT, ground glass opacity (GGO) was detected in all IPF dogs, traction bronchiectasis in 4, and honeycombing in 1. Bronchoscopic airway changes were noted in all IPF dogs. On BAL fluid (BALF) cytology, the total cell count (TCC) was higher in IPF dogs, and the numbers but not the percentages of macrophages, neutrophils, and mast cells were increased. On histopathology, multifocal or diffuse interstitial fibrosis, type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, prominent intraalveolar macrophages, distortion of alveolar architecture, and emphysematous change were detected. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: IPF causes substantial hypoxemia. In HRCT, GGO is a consistent finding. IPF dogs have concurrent airway changes and an increase in BALF TCC.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21366693/