Abstract
The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of age on bronchoscopic features and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cellularity in dogs. Thirty healthy beagle dogs from three age groups were included: young dogs (10 months to 4.5 years of age; n=8), middle-aged dogs (5-8 years old; n=13) and older dogs (>8 years; n=9). Haematology, thoracic radiography, bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed; bronchoscopic findings were scored and BALF total and differential cell counts were determined. The total bronchoscopic score was higher in older dogs; these dogs had more irregular bronchial mucosa, more prominent mucosal vessels and bronchiectasis. Younger dogs had a higher percentage of neutrophils in BALF compared with middle-aged and old dogs and a higher percentage of lymphocytes in BALF compared with middle-aged dogs. The results show that age has an effect on bronchoscopic features of airways and the composition of BALF in the dog.
Highlights
Bronchoscopy is an important adjunctive procedure in evaluation of canine respiratory disease
The aim of the present study was to determine whether there was an effect of age on bronchoscopic appearance of airways and cellularity of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in the dog
This cross-sectional study was approved by the Animal Ethical Committee of the University of Liège (Approval Nos. 556, 649 and 663) and included 30 healthy experimental Beagle dogs from a colony at the Liège University Veterinary Small Animal Teaching Hospital
Summary
Bronchoscopy is an important adjunctive procedure in evaluation of canine respiratory disease. The technique permits visual assessment of the upper and lower respiratory mucosa, evaluation of dynamic airway changes and collection of deep respiratory samples for cytology, histology and culture (McKiernan, 2003). Scoring systems based on predefined macroscopic findings are used to improve objectivity in assessment of the type and severity of bronchial lesions (Clercx et al, 2000). One study of 18 Beagle dogs of various ages reported no age-related changes in total and differential cell counts (TCC and DCC) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (Mayer et al, 1990). There are no other published data concerning age-related differences in bronchoscopic findings in this species. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there was an effect of age on bronchoscopic appearance of airways and cellularity of BALF in the dog
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