Barometric whole-body plethysmographic measurements in dogs suffering from brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome

in Veterinary Journal (2010)

The clinical features of brachycephalic airway obstructive disease in 11 brachycephalic dogs are described in this study. The respiratory strategy was assessed before (n=11) and after (n=6) surgery using ... [more ▼]

The clinical features of brachycephalic airway obstructive disease in 11 brachycephalic dogs are described in this study. The respiratory strategy was assessed before (n=11) and after (n=6) surgery using barometric whole-body plethysmography (BWBP), with the relationship between BWBP variables and the severity of the clinical signs assessed by the use of a respiratory score based on clinical, radiographic and endoscopic findings. Partial collapse of the left main bronchus was a common finding not previously described as part of the brachycephalic airway obstructive disease syndrome. Epiglottic cysts, laryngeal granulomas and nasopharyngeal turbinates in English Bulldogs were other previously unreported findings. No significant correlation between the respiratory score and any of the BWBP variables was detected. Compared to healthy dogs, brachycephalic dogs had a significantly lower Te/Ti ratio (expiratory time over inspiratory time), peak inspiratory flow (PIF) per kg bodyweight (BW), significantly higher peak expiratory flow (PEF) per kgBW, PEF/PIF, and enhanced pause. These variations are compatible with upper airway obstructions primarily in the extrathoracic airways. Following surgery, a significant decrease in PEF/PIF was detected. The study showed that BWBP could be used to characterise the respiratory strategy in brachycephalic dogs before and after surgery [less ▲]

Investigation of the effect of salbutamol and prenisolone on lung function test in healthy dogs with experimentally induced airway inflammation

in 16th ECVIM Meeting - Amsterdam - Nederlands - Septembre 2006 (2006, September)

Evaluation of respiratory function by barometric whole-body plethysmography in healthy dogs

in Veterinary Journal (2006), 172(1), 67-77

The objective of the present study was to assess the validity of barometric whole-body plethysmography (BWBP), to establish reference values, and to standardise a bronchoprovocative test to investigate ... [more ▼]

The objective of the present study was to assess the validity of barometric whole-body plethysmography (BWBP), to establish reference values, and to standardise a bronchoprovocative test to investigate airway responsiveness using BWBP in healthy dogs. BWBP measurements were obtained from six healthy beagle dogs using different protocols: (1) during three consecutive periods (3.5 min each) in two morning and two evening sessions; (2) before and after administration of two protocols of sedation; (3) before and after nebulisation of saline and increasing concentrations of carbachol and histamine both in conscious dogs and in dogs under both protocols of sedation. Enhanced pause (PENH) was used as index of bronchoconstriction. Basal BWBP measurements were also obtained in 22 healthy dogs of different breeds, age and weight. No significant influence of either time spent in the chamber or daytime was found for most respiratory variables but a significant dog effect was detected for most variables. A significant body weight effect was found on tidal volume and peak flow values (P < 0.05). Response to carbachol was not reproducible and always associated with side effects. Nebulisation of histamine induced a significant increase in respiratory rate, peak expiratory flow, peak expiratory flow/peak inspiratory flow ratio and PENH (P < 0.05). The response was reproduced in each dog at different concentrations of histamine. Sedation with acepromazine + buprenorphine had little influence on basal measurements and did not change the results of histamine challenge. It was concluded that BWBP is a safe, non invasive and reliable technique of investigation of lung function in dogs which provides new opportunities to characterise respiratory status, to evaluate airway hyperresponsiveness and to assess therapeutic interventions. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Whole body barometric plethysmography measurements in dogs with brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome

Poster (2005, September)

Whole-body barometric plethysmography in healthy dogs: effect of sedation on basal respiratory variables and during histamine challenge

in 14th ESVIM Meeting - Barcelona - Espagne (2004, September)