Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Survival and treatment outcomes in 125 dogs with aspiration pneumonia
By Tart, Kelly M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2010·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Potential risks, prognostic indicators, and diagnostic and treatment modalities affecting survival in dogs with presumptive aspiration pneumonia: 125 cases (2005-2008).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 125 dogs diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia (a lung infection caused by inhaling food or liquid) showed an overall survival rate of about 82%. Many of these dogs were large males, and a significant number had vomited before developing symptoms. The most common findings on X-rays were issues in the right middle lung lobe, and dogs with only one affected lung lobe had a better chance of recovery. While various treatments were used, none were proven to significantly improve survival, but supportive care was important for these dogs during their hospital stay.
People also search for: dog aspiration pneumonia symptoms · large breed dog vomiting · dog lung infection treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a clinical population of dogs diagnosed with presumptive aspiration pneumonia (AP) and determine diagnostic and treatment modalities contributing to survival. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: A university veterinary teaching hospital in an urban setting. ANIMALS: One hundred and twenty-five dogs with presumed AP treated from 2005 to 2008. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Dogs with presumptive AP identified by a review of medical records had an overall survival of 81.6% (102/125). Male large-breed dogs (mean 24.9 kg; 82/125) were overrepresented and were more likely to develop AP in this study population. Recent anesthesia had been performed in 16% (20/125), and vomiting was reported in 64% (80/125). The most common radiographic findings were a predominantly alveolar pattern (187/272, [68.8%] total lung lobes) in the right middle lung lobe (80/115, [69.6%]). A mean of 2 lung lobes were involved radiographically, and the relationship between survival and the number of lung lobes affected was statistically significant (P=0.04). Neutrophilia with a left shift was common with no significant change on consecutive daily evaluations. The mean PaO(2) was 77.7 mm Hg (SD, 17.5 mm Hg) (range, 40.7-100 mm Hg) with a median alveolar-arterial gradient of 41.1 mm Hg (range, 8.1-81.8 mm Hg). In this study population, 37.6% (47/125) of dogs had microbial cultures performed and of these, 76.6% (36/47) were positive for growth; Escherichia coli (38.8%), Mycoplasma spp. (21.3%), Pasturella spp. (19.1%), and Staphylococcus spp. (17%) were the most common isolates in either single or multiagent infections. No treatment modality was statistically associated with increased survival. Colloid therapy was a negative prognostic indicator. CONCLUSIONS: In this study the overall prognosis for AP was good. Patients with only 1 affected lung lobe appeared more likely to survive. Supportive treatment modalities are warranted for the hospitalized patient, although no individual treatment method was found to be clearly superior to others.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20636985/