Evaluation of pulmonary infection risk in dogs with pulmonary contusion

Abstract

There is a dilemma about usage and selection of the antibiotics following pulmonary contusion. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate pulmonary infection risk in dogs with pulmonary contusion. In total, eleven dogs with pulmonary contusion included in the study. Diagnosis of the pulmonary contusion and its degrees were determined based on the clinical and radiological findings. Under general anesthesia, bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was applied on 0, 24 and 48th h and BAL samples were collected. Cytological examination, culture and antibiotic susceptibility analysis of the BAL samples were performed. Clinically, mild, moderate and severe degree pulmonary contusions were diagnosed, but radiological results pointed out severe degree of pulmonary contusion in all dogs. Bronchoscopy showed the hemoptysis in all dogs except one. Cytologically, all preparations had the inflammatory results at 0th hour and these were increased at 24 and 48th hours. Additionally, evidence of infection was determined in the cytological preparations of four dogs (case 1, 2, 5 and 8) taken at 0, 24 and 48th hours. These cytological results were compatible with microbiological results of case 1, 2, 5 and 8. Pasteurella multocida in case 1 and 2, and Escherichia coli in case 5 and 8 was cultured microorganism from the BAL samples, separately. While P. multocida was resistant to gentamicin, erythromycin and oxytetracycline; E. coli was resistant only sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. In conclusion, it may be stated that pulmonary contusion triggers inflammation process, and if there is a pathogenic opportunistic flora in the lower respiratory tracts, the pulmonary infections might accompany with inflammation process. Thus, if it is able, antibiotic usage must be planned considering to the results of BAL culture and antibiogram tests.

Keywords

• bronchoalveolar lavage
• bronchoscopy
• cytology
• dog
• microbiology
• pulmonary contusion