X-ray of coughing dog

Re: X-ray of coughing dog

ilanit — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:01:43 GMT

That's still a question mark. No positive dogs found so far, but we have the vector and the climat, so sooner or later there will be.

Inhouse heartworm test was negative though and no microfilaria seen on blood smear.

Re: X-ray of coughing dog

Mark Holmes — Fri, 27 May 2011 13:06:35 GMT

Malta? Do you get heart worm? I would be looking at blood smears I think although it is several years since I have had t think about it I am reasonably confident that cardiac enlargement was one of the clinical signs.

Re: X-ray of coughing dog

ilanit — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:42:53 GMT

Many thanks for all your imput.

This is what the radiologist said about the X-ray:

These opacities are definitely in the lungs and have a nodular appearance. There may be some tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy as well. This looks like some kind of granulomatous disease. The dog is young, so I am thinking more of an infectious process, but a neoplasia is also considered.

What I would do at this point, is to take a look at this with ultrasound. The pulmonary lesions are large enough and close enough to the chest wall that they should be accessible. If they look like tissue (which I would anticipate), I would stick a needle in the lesions and do cytology on what I can get.

Awaiting hematology results from lab but blood smear yesterday showed marked eosinophilia and mild mature leucocytosis, so it looks like lungworm is a good candidate. I am not in the UK but on Malta. We don't have panacur over here. I have given advocate, but I don't think that's enough. What would be another good alternative?

Dog's coming in tomorrow for a check up and will have a go with the ultrasound, but must admit have limited experience with ultrasound heart/lungs. Also will have a look at some fecal samples.

Thanks again!

Re: X-ray of coughing dog

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 26 May 2011 13:25:49 GMT

Agree with everything David has said-angiostrongylus would be my 1st choice diagnosis (It would be ! )

Wynne

Re: X-ray of coughing dog

David Mills — Tue, 24 May 2011 21:52:15 GMT

As above, poss need more info, finances allowing. I would: rule out lungworm with pooled 3d faeces sample or panacur 7day course; echo and ultrasound of chest; BAL.

Sounds as if dog too well for pneumonia. Could be FB with that distribution though. 'masses' could be lymph nodes in that area. PPDH would be unusual with this presentation as there appears to be no respiratory distress from your hx. Heart size hard to see on xrays but seems to be some tracheal elevation.

If finances tight, would treat with preds, panacur and doxycycline/oxytet 2 weeks and see response.

Re: X-ray of coughing dog

Andrew Kent — Tue, 24 May 2011 10:46:21 GMT

Trying to view them on an iPhone screen not the easiest but they are interesting x-rays! Have you got access to ultrasound +\- CT?? I would be scanning this to check heart size and have a look at those abnormal areas! Andy

Re: X-ray of coughing dog

Noweia — Mon, 23 May 2011 19:32:27 GMT

Possible PPDH? If dog ok and eating normally, I agree with barium!

Re: X-ray of coughing dog

ilanit — Mon, 23 May 2011 19:15:02 GMT

Thanks. I stand to be corrected. Must admit I'm quite puzzled by this X-ray.

Have send the photos to a radiologist for expert opinion, but probably won't get an answer before wednesday. Will upload it when I do.

Still curious what others think though....

Re: X-ray of coughing dog

Richard Carter — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:02:49 GMT

Very strange - unusual x-rays for pneumonia..The definition of your xrays on my computer not great but looks like structures in chest? Put some barium down and chk haven't got a diaphragmatic hernea? Abscesses in lungs are unusual in a dog but dds could also include lungworm, foreign body as you suggested, lung lobe torsion - I'm sure there are some specialists out there brave enough to comment..