Chapter 35 Puppy Pneumonia

Question 1

Aside from infectious respiratory disease, what are less common causes for respiratory distress in puppies?

Answer 1

Heart failure secondary to congenital heart disease, neoplasia, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, hemorrhage secondary to anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity or trauma.

Question 2

What is theory behind the increase in infectious respiratory disease in puppies?

Answer 2

Suspect due to an increase in active transport situations where puppies are shipped around the country.

Question 3

What are the typical radiographic characterization of puppy pneumonia?

Answer 3

Diffuse but ventrally distributed alveolar pattern, which differs from aspiration pneumonia that tends to affect only a single lung lobe

Question 4

What is commonly seen on airway cytology with pneumonia?

Answer 4

Neutrophilic inflammation with visible intracellular bacteria (bacilli more commonly seen than cocci).

Question 5

What is typically seen on bacterial culture with puppy pneumonia?

Answer 5

Bordetella and gram-negative bacteria.

Question 6

How long should dogs with suspect infectious pneumonia be isolated from other dogs?

Answer 6

21 days

Question 7

What is the prognosis for puppies with CIRD?

Answer 7

Generally favorable, depending on illness severity and the appropriateness of their supportive care. A failure to respond to therapy within 1-2 days is considered a poor sign, as would the development of ARDS leading to refractory hypoxemia.