Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis lung disease in West Highland white
By Heikkilä-Laurila, Henna P & Rajamäki, Minna M·Published in The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice·2014·Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in West Highland white terriers.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A middle-aged West Highland white terrier was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a serious lung disease that causes breathing problems. The exact cause of this condition is unknown, but it may be linked to genetics and the environment. Symptoms can include coughing and difficulty breathing, which can worsen over time. While there is no cure, treatments may help manage the symptoms and improve the dog's quality of life. It's important for owners to work closely with their veterinarian to monitor and treat this condition.
People also search for: West Highland white terrier breathing problems · idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment for dogs · coughing in dogs causes
Abstract
Canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (CIPF) is a chronic, progressive, interstitial lung disease affecting mainly middle-aged and old West Highland white terriers. Other dogs, especially terriers, have been diagnosed with the disease. The cause is largely unknown, but it is likely to arise from interplay between genetic and environmental factors. CIPF shares several features with human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This article summarizes the current literature; describes the findings in physical examination, arterial blood gas analysis, bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, diagnostic imaging, and histopathology; compares the canine and human diseases; gives an overview of potential treatments; and discusses biomarker research.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24268338/