Tidal breathing flow-volume loop analysis for the diagnosis and staging of tracheal collapse in dogs.
BACKGROUND
Tracheoscopy is generally used for the diagnosis of tracheal collapse (TC) in dogs; yet, it is costly, requires anesthesia, and can irritate the airway. The tidal breathing flow-volume loop (TBFVL) is a safe, quick, and noninvasive pulmonary function test currently used in humans.


OBJECTIVE
TBFVL will differentiate dogs with TC from healthy controls and contribute to disease grading.


METHODS
Twenty-eight dogs with naturally occurring TC and 10 healthy controls.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, prospective clinical study: The 38 dogs were assigned to one of 4 groups based on tracheoscopy results: group A (n=10, healthy controls), group B (n=10, grade I TC), group C (n=10, grade II TC), and group D (n=8, grade III TC). The TBFVL measurement was performed on all dogs and loops were assessed for their shape. Forty-four TBFVL parameters were calculated.


RESULTS
Two types of TBFVL shapes were identified: Type I, representative of the 10 healthy controls, and Type II, representative of the 28 dogs with TC. Statistical analysis showed the dogs could be differentiated into healthy or affected by TC by 3 indices, TE/TI (expiratory time divided by inspiratory time), TI/TTOT (inspiratory time divided by total respiratory time), and EF75/IF75 (expiratory flow at end tidal volume plus 75% end tidal volume divided by inspiratory flow at end tidal volume plus 75% end tidal volume). The TC could also be graded as mild-moderate (grades I and II) or severe (grade III), showing a diagnostic value of 97.4%.


CONCLUSIONS
TBFVL is accurate, quick, noninvasive, and safe and can contribute to the diagnosis of TC in dogs.
Pardali
D
D
Companion Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. didipardali@yahoo.gr
Adamama-Moraitou
K K
KK
Rallis
T S
TS
Raptopoulos
D
D
Gioulekas
D
D
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D013990:Tidal Volume; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*