Open AccessBronchodilators in Bronchoscopy‐Induced Airflow Limitation in Allergen‐Sensitized Cats
Author(s) -
Kirschvink Nathalie,
Leemans Jérôme,
Delvaux François,
Snaps Fréderic,
Clercx Cécile,
Gustin Pascal
Publication year - 2005
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.1939-1676.2005.tb02677.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cats , salbutamol , bronchoalveolar lavage , anesthesia , ipratropium bromide , ovalbumin , inhalation , asthma , immunology , bronchodilator , lung , immune system
This study investigated the effect of bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) on respiratory function, determined by barometric whole‐body plethysmography (BWBP), of healthy and allergen‐sensitized cats. Furthermore, the efficacy of inhaled bronchodilators in preventing changes in respiratory function was determined. For test 1, 18 healthy experimental cats were investigated on day 1 by BWBP. On day 2, the cats underwent BWBP after sedation (medetomidine), after anesthesia induction (propofol), and after bronchoscopy and BAL. Enhanced pause (Penh) was significantly increased after bronchoscopy and BAL (1.64 ± 0.17 versus 1.23 ± 0.07, P < .05). For test 2, 6 cats were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA), 6 cats were sensitized to Ascaris suum (AS), and 6 cats served as controls. On day 0, OVA‐ and AS‐sensitized cats underwent an inhaled allergen challenge, whereas controls were exposed to saline. On days 1 and 2, the same protocol as described for test 1 was repeated. Post‐BAL Penh of the AS‐sensitized cats was significantly higher than at test 1 (2.28 ± 0.22 versus 1.69 ± 0.33, P < .05) and was correlated with BAL fluid neutrophil count ( r = 0.55, P < .05). During tests 3, 4, and 5, the same protocol as used for test 2 was applied to each cat group, with the animals being randomly treated before sedation with inhaled salbutamol (200 μg), ipratropium bromide (40 μg), or a combination of both (200 + 40 μg). Post‐BAL Penh of the AS‐sensitized group was significantly decreased after the salbutamol + ipratropium bromide treatment (1.56 ± 0.18 versus 2.28 ± 0.22, P < .05). This study suggests that bronchoscopy and BAL induce airflow limitation in cats, which is more severe in the presence of lower airway inflammation. Inhaled salbutamol + ipratropium bromide reduce BAL‐induced bronchoconstriction in AS‐challenged cats and might be recommended as preventive treatment of asthmatic cats undergoing bronchoscopy.