Open AccessCytological Analysis of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid in the Diagnosis of Spontaneous Respiratory Tract Disease in Dogs: A Retrospective Study
Author(s) -
Hawkins Eleanor C.,
DeNicola Dennis B.,
Plier Michelle L.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1995.tb03298.x
Subject(s) - medicine , bronchoalveolar lavage , cytology , respiratory system , respiratory tract , pathology , respiratory disease , lung
Results of cytological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAD fluid were compared with clinical diagnoses in dogs that presented with signs of respiratory disease to referral hospitals. Of 68 dogs in which a clinical diagnosis was possible, BAL cytological findings were considered definitive for the diagnosis in 17 cases (25%), supportive of the diagnosis in 34 cases (50%), and not helpful in 17 cases (25%). Findings were most often considered supportive of or definitive for the clinical diagnosis in dogs with alveolar or bronchial radiographic patterns, or the presence of pulmonary masses. BAL results among lung lobes differed in 23 of 63 dogs (37%) with diffuse radiographic patterns. Tracheal wash cytology differed from BAL fluid cytology in 45 of 66 dogs (68%). Bronchoalveolar lavage was a clinically useful procedure for the diagnostic evaluation of dogs with signs of respiratory disease.