Etiology and clinical outcome in dogs with aspiration pneumonia: 88 cases (2004-2006).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the number and types of underlying disorders detected in dogs with aspiration pneumonia and determine the survival rate among affected dogs.


METHODS
Retrospective case series. Animals-88 dogs with aspiration pneumonia.


METHODS
Medical records were reviewed to identify disease processes that could result in aspiration pneumonia. To assess outcome (ie, survival to discharge from the hospital or nonsurvival), dogs were grouped by the type and number of underlying disease processes. Duration of hospitalization and radiographic severity of disease were evaluated with regard to case outcome.


RESULTS
As the cause of aspiration pneumonia, a single underlying disorder was identified in 60 of the 88 dogs; 2 or more diseases were identified in the remaining dogs. Esophageal disease (n = 35), vomiting (34), neurologic disorders (24), laryngeal disease (16), and postanesthetic aspiration (12) were identified most commonly. Overall, 68 dogs survived to discharge from the hospital (survival rate, 77%). Survival rates were comparable among dogs regardless of the underlying cause of aspiration pneumonia. Radiographic severity of disease and duration of hospitalization did not influence survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Among these study dogs, aspiration pneumonia was associated with a high survival rate. The presence of more than 1 underlying disease associated with aspiration pneumonia did not adversely impact survival rate. Interestingly, radiographic severity of disease and duration of hospitalization were not associated with overall survival rate.
Kogan
David A
DA
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospitaland the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Johnson
Lynelle R
LR
Sturges
Beverly K
BK
Jandrey
Karl E
KE
Pollard
Rachel E
RE
D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D007902:Length of Stay; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents