Wheezing Border Terrier X-rays - thoughts please

Re: Wheezing Border Terrier X-rays - thoughts please

Emma Middleton — Thu, 01 May 2014 21:05:50 GMT

Hi Graham,

Unfortunately no serum or plasma was kept from before the Advocate

But thank you anyway! :)

Re: Wheezing Border Terrier X-rays - thoughts please

Graham Bilbrough — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 16:32:15 GMT

Hi, Emma

Do you have any spare serum or plasma in a fridge from before the Advocate? I may have a way to get you that diagnosis.

Thanks

Graham

Re: Wheezing Border Terrier X-rays - thoughts please

Emma Middleton — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 16:24:11 GMT

For interest - the BAL cytology came back as mixed cell, predominantly eosinophilic, inflammation of the lower airways. The dog had Advocate last week and has apparently been much better since. When I spoke to the owner today he said she is back to her normal self with no more wheezing.

We obviously haven't actually got a diagnosis (the plan was to test for lungworm if the BAL supported it), but lungworm does seem likely at this point. And as the dog is doing so much better, a good outcome.

Thank you for all your comments/advice, it's much appreciated.

Re: Wheezing Border Terrier X-rays - thoughts please

Emma Middleton — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 17:05:02 GMT

Hi Linda, no dysphagia, regurgitation or anything like that.

There was lots of hair in the faecal sample though and when questioned about it, the owner said that the dog licks/grooms the other dog a lot. Could a hairball cause wheezing and then secondary tracheal/bronchial inflammation?!

Re: Wheezing Border Terrier X-rays - thoughts please

Linda Filshie — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 18:04:32 GMT

Is that a tracheal stripe sign there? Any possibility from the hx of megaoesophagus?

Re: Wheezing Border Terrier X-rays - thoughts please

Graham Bilbrough — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 16:30:55 GMT

Hi, Emma

We have a PCR panel offering C.vulpis and A.vasorum. As the parasite's genetic material is only intermittently present in the blood or the faeces, its sensitivity for either species is far from perfect. For A.vasorum it will not match Angio Detect. The PCR panel is not in the Directory of Services yet. But, the code is LUNGWP. Sample: faeces, heparin-whole-blood or EDTA-whole-blood. NOT serum or plasma.

If you have them, it'd be great to see the dot plots from the CBC.

Thanks

Re: Wheezing Border Terrier X-rays - thoughts please

Emma Middleton — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:54:26 GMT

Thanks Robin. Got some juicy chunks on the BAL so I'm hoping it will yield some useful info.

Re: Wheezing Border Terrier X-rays - thoughts please

Emma Middleton — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:52:43 GMT

Thanks Graham. Eosinophils were within normal range but I don't have the actual values to hand at present. Was also thinking about crenosoma vulpis as this is seen occasionally in the Midlands but we are yet to diagnose a case of Angiostrongylosis (and we do look for it).

Re: Wheezing Border Terrier X-rays - thoughts please

Graham Bilbrough — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 14:55:40 GMT

Given where you are working and your desire to rule-out angiostrongylosis, I would recommend an Angio Detect. You can do that by submission to IDEXX Reference Labs if you don't have the tests on-the-shelf. [Note my commercial affiliation.]

What about the dog's [eos]? Given the lethergy you describe, a 'normal' eosinophil concentration may not be normal for this dog.

Thanks

Re: Wheezing Border Terrier X-rays - thoughts please

Robin Grimmer — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 14:05:10 GMT

Bronchial pattern with one or two opacities. I suspect the BAL will give you the answers. My money would be on an eosinophilic bronchitis or pneumonia.