Infectious Tracheobronchitis

Question 1

Define tracheobronchitis

Answer 1

inflammation of the upper airways of the respiratory tract, specifically the treachea and mainstem bronchi

Question 2

List 2 common organisms that cause tracheobronchitis

Answer 2

Bordetella bronchiseptica

canine parainfluenza virus

Question 3

Route of infection of bordetella and canine parainfluenza virus

Answer 3

aerosolized particles that are easily breathed in

Question 4

3 locations or events that may place a patient at risk for getting infected

Answer 4

kennel
dog parks
dog shows
agility competitions

Question 5

3 Adaptive mechanisms bordetella has that make it easy for the bacteria to invade the respiratory tract

Answer 5

1. Surface proteins adapted for attachment to mucosal lining of respiratory tract
2. Production of toxins that destroy or inhibit normal respiratory cell immune function
3. Inhabit a host cell which lets it hide well from the immune system

Question 6

Describe the underlying pathophysiology leading to the decreased function of the mucociliary elevator

Answer 6

bacteria colonizes epithelial cells lining the trachea and mainstem bronchi –> this decreases function of epithelial cells b/c cilia are lost and mucous isn’t able to be produced like normal –> decreased cilia and mucous (the 2 things the elevator uses) decreases the function of the elevator

Question 7

Primary presentation of infectious tracheobronchitis and why those clinical signs are present

Answer 7

a dog with normal appetite and activity level that has an intractable, non-productive, dry cough

Reason: decreased function of mucociliary elevator allows inhaled particles deeper into airway than normal –> particles irritate tracheal and bronchial mucosa –> cough reflex. Additionally, increased inflammatory cell population is also irritating and may contribute to cough reflex

Question 8

2 Procedures that can be done to obtain a sample of airway secretions

Answer 8

1. Transtracheal wash (TTW)

2. Broncheoalveolar lavage (BAL)

Question 9

Common class of meds that may be useful in controlling the clinical signs of infectious tracheobronchitis

Answer 9

antitussives

Question 10

Why are antitussives useful for controlling infectious tracheobronchitis?

Answer 10

• the cough isn’t productive; there’s nothing to expel out of the alveoli
• therefore, the cough has no useful purpose

Question 11

What is a nursing technique that may be useful to help keep a patient with infectious tracheobronchitis more comfortable?

Answer 11

steam usually via shutting pet in bathroom for 10-15min with a hot shower going and the bathroom fan turned off; recommend BID

Question 12

List 2 types of vaccines available for Bordetella

Answer 12

avirulent live

whole cell bacterins

Question 13

Avirulent live

• route of admin.
• maternal antibodies?
• how quickly it works

Answer 13

• intranasal and oral stimulate local immune cells to produce IgA
• effective even in presence of maternal antibodies
• works as fast as 4 days

Question 14

Whole cell bacterins

• route of admin.
• maternal antibodies?
• how quickly it works

Answer 14

• injectable product that stimulates systemic antibody production
• not effective in presence of maternal antibodies
• provides protection within 7-10 days of injection