Re: Chronic cough in Miniature Doberman

David Mills — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 13:21:20 GMT

There is plenty left to do before referral.

Elicitable as in trach pinch? If so then likely URT extrathoracic pathology. If no endoscope available then prolonged course of tetracycline antibiotics (doxy has anti-inflammatory effect also so is my drug of choice) at correct dosages (doxy 10mg/kg SID, oxytet 7-11mg/kg TID) for 4 weeks should rule out any infectious pathology. Some people also use preds due to inflammation usually present. Endoscopy can give information regarding dynamic airway collapse.

If tracheal widening occurs on rads, when during cycle? Two good quality laterals at full inspiration and full expiration can doscument intrathoracic tracheal collapse - the ballpark figure is >50% decrease in diameter between cycle extremes. If this occurs, then permanent solutions with stenting are improving in quality but still carry side effects (persistent mucous production, dislodgement, reactions, increased breathing noise) and can swap one problem for another. Otherwise medical management aimed at recuding associated inflammation can help. Xathine derivarites e.g. corvental and alpha 1s e.g. terbutlaine are theoretically pointless in this situation as they do not affect tracheal stability.

Chronci bronchitis is another main cause but you would expect lung path on rads.

Lungworm tx essential - remember fenbendazole and advocate are only 80% effective kill rates, so milbemax may be worth doing.

If all above negative and can confidently rule out URT issue then BAL is a quick and easy test which provides a lot of information,

Can you post the chest rads?

Re: Chronic cough in Miniature Doberman

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 12:38:27 GMT

Do you have a flexible endoscope? Otherwise I'd be inclined to refer to someone confident with thoracotomies-may have to do that anyway

Wynne

Re: Chronic cough in Miniature Doberman

James Laidlaw — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 12:38:00 GMT

Vaccinated for kennel cough?

Tracheal pinch response? - I find a lot of these improve with short course of NSAID's

Otherwise BAL/TTW may be useful if responded to antibiotics - how long a course did it have?

3 day pooled faeces good for lungworm/baermans float - but I tend to just treat regularly with advocate for these if suspected. Think they usually have pathology in caudodorsal lung field. Any chance of posting rads?