The Veterinary Record
HOME CURRENT ISSUE TABLE OF CONTENTS ARCHIVE SEARCH SUBSCRIPTIONS JOBS FEEDBACK HELP
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Corcoran, B. M.
Right arrow Articles by Martin, M. W.S.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Corcoran, B. M.
Right arrow Articles by Martin, M. W.S.

The Veterinary Record, Vol 144, Issue 22, 611-616
Copyright © 1999 by British Veterinary Association

Chronic pulmonary disease in West Highland white terriers

B. M. Corcoran MVB, PhD, MRCVS1, J. Dukes-McEwan BVMS, MVM, DVC, MRCVS1, A. French MVB, DVC, MRCVS1, V. Luis Fuentes MA, DVC, MRCVS1, S. Rhind BVMS, MRCVS2, M. Cobb MA, DVC, MRCVS3, A. Boswood MA, DVC3, and M. W.S. Martin MVB, DVC, MRCVS4

1 Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1QH
2 Department of Veterinary Pathology, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1QH
3 Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield AL9 7TA
4 Martin Referral Services, Thera House, 43 Waverley Road, Kenilworth CV8 1JL

This paper describes the clinical features, and diagnostic findings of a chronic respiratory condition in 29 West Highland white terriers. Typically, the dogs were coughing chronically, had dyspnoea and tachypnoea of varying severity, and had deteriorated progressively over months to years. The mean (sem) survival time in months from the clinical signs being first noted by the owners was 17·9 (2·3). Most cases had a combination of respiratory signs, but coughing was the predominant sign in 18 cases. Inspiratory crackles were audible on chest auscultation in 28 cases, 10 of which were also wheezing. Rhonchi were the predominant sound in the remaining case. The main radiographic changes were mild to severe increased interstitial markings in all cases, with additional bronchial markings in 14 of the dogs. Right-sided cardiomegaly (cor pulmonale) was recorded in 15. Bronchoscopic findings in 17 of the dogs were either normal or involved a mild airway mucoid reaction in eight. Chronic mucosal changes were observed in eight, but in two this finding was equivocal. Dynamic changes to the lumen of the airway were present in seven cases. No significant haematological or biochemical changes could be detected in 20 cases, but four cases were hypercholestrolaemic. A histopathological assessment of four cases revealed alveolar septal fibrosis to be the predominant change. Prednisolone, with or without bronchodilators, was the most commonly used therapy, and the response was variable. The condition appears to be associated with significant pulmonary interstitial fibrosis of unknown aetiology and has clinical similarities to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis) in human beings.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Vet PatholHome page
A. J. Norris, D. K. Naydan, and D. W. Wilson
Interstitial Lung Disease in West Highland White Terriers
Vet. Pathol., January 1, 2005; 42(1): 35 - 41.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Journal of the American Animal Hospital AssociationHome page
C. R. Norris, S. M. Griffey, V. F. Samii, M. M. Christopher, and M. S. Mellema
Thoracic Radiography, Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cytopathology, and Pulmonary Parenchymal Histopathology: A Comparison of Diagnostic Results in 11 Cats
J. Am. Anim. Hosp. Assoc., July 1, 2002; 38(4): 337 - 345.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME CURRENT ISSUE TABLE OF CONTENTS ARCHIVE SEARCH SUBSCRIPTIONS JOBS FEEDBACK HELP
Copyright © 1999 British Veterinary Association