Potential risks, prognostic indicators, and diagnostic and treatment modalities affecting survival in dogs with presumptive aspiration pneumonia: 125 cases (2005-2008).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a clinical population of dogs diagnosed with presumptive aspiration pneumonia (AP) and determine diagnostic and treatment modalities contributing to survival.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
A university veterinary teaching hospital in an urban setting.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-five dogs with presumed AP treated from 2005 to 2008.


METHODS
None.


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.
Tart
Kelly M
KM
Section of Emergency and Critical Care, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, C339 Veterinary Medical Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108-6192, USA.
Babski
Danielle M
DM
Lee
Justine A
JA
D000308:Adrenocortical Hyperfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003102:Colloids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D010100:Oxygen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003102:Colloids; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010100:Oxygen