Respiratory Chronic Bronchitis Flashcards
Explain the pathophysiology of chronic bronchitis (CB) in dogs.
Chronic bronchitis in dogs involves chronic inflammation of the bronchial mucosa without an identifiable underlying cause. The inflammation leads to mucus production and thickening of the bronchial walls, which narrows the airways. Over time, the walls may weaken and collapse, perpetuating a cycle of coughing and further inflammation.
Example sentence: Chronic bronchitis can lead to long-term respiratory issues in dogs.
Describe the expected history and clinical signs in dogs with chronic bronchitis.
Dogs with chronic bronchitis typically present with a chronic cough lasting over a month. The cough is often described as harsh, hacking, or deep and may produce mucus or ‘white foam.’ Terminal retching, gagging, or choking and paroxysms of coughing are common.
Additional information: Chronic bronchitis can be challenging to diagnose due to overlapping clinical signs with other respiratory conditions.
What potential exam findings might you see in dogs with chronic bronchitis?
Potential exam findings include increased breath sounds, crackles, wheezes, expiratory dyspnea (abdominal push), tachypnea, excessive panting, cyanosis, and murmurs associated with pulmonary hypertension or mitral regurgitation.
No additional information.
Describe the potential radiographic findings in dogs with chronic bronchitis.
Radiographs may show diffuse bronchial or bronchointerstitial markings. Advanced cases may exhibit bronchiectasis or bronchomalacia, although some radiographs may appear normal.
No additional information.
List other common causes of chronic cough in dogs.
Other common causes of chronic cough in dogs include tracheal collapse, pulmonary fibrosis, eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy, parasitic lung diseases, neoplasia, laryngeal disease, aerodigestive disorders, and significant cardiomegaly or large-volume pericardial effusion (‘cardiac cough’).
No additional information.
List the five components of chronic bronchitis treatment in dogs.
The five components of treatment include reducing inflammation, minimizing coughing, improving exercise tolerance, avoiding potential allergens, and managing obesity and periodontal disease.
No additional information.
List and define the potential complications of chronic bronchitis in dogs.
Potential complications include bronchiectasis (permanent dilation of the bronchi), bronchomalacia (weakening of the bronchial walls), secondary respiratory infections, and pulmonary hypertension.
No additional information.
Explain the pathophysiologic difference between feline bronchitis and asthma.
Feline bronchitis involves chronic inflammation of the airways, similar to chronic bronchitis in dogs, whereas feline asthma is characterized by reversible bronchoconstriction and airway hyperresponsiveness. Both conditions can present with similar clinical signs, but asthma includes a component of acute airway constriction that bronchitis does not.
No additional information.
Describe the expected history, clinical signs, and potential exam findings in cats with bronchitis or asthma.
Cats with bronchitis or asthma often present with a history of coughing and may exhibit signs such as wheezing, dyspnea, and tachypnea. Physical examination may reveal increased breath sounds, crackles, or wheezes, and in severe cases, cyanosis and respiratory distress.
No additional information.
Explain why heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD) and heartworm disease (HWD) can cause clinical signs and radiographic abnormalities similar to feline asthma or bronchitis.
HARD and HWD cause inflammation and damage to the pulmonary arteries and lung parenchyma, leading to clinical signs such as coughing and dyspnea. Radiographically, these diseases can show interstitial or bronchointerstitial patterns, which are also seen in feline asthma and bronchitis.
No additional information.
List the acute and chronic treatments for feline asthma/bronchitis.
Acute treatments include minimizing stress, providing supplemental oxygen, and administering rapid-acting corticosteroids and/or bronchodilators. Chronic treatments involve oral corticosteroids, inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators for acute episodes, weight management, and reducing exposure to inhaled pollutants and allergens.
No additional information.
Define eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy (EBP) and list breeds predisposed to EBP.
Eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy (EBP) is an immunological condition characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the bronchial walls. Breeds predisposed to EBP include Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and other Nordic breeds.
No additional information.
What is chronic bronchitis in dogs?
Chronic inflammation of the bronchial mucosa with no identifiable underlying cause.
Example sentence: Chronic bronchitis in dogs is characterized by persistent coughing.
List some proposed etiologies of chronic bronchitis in dogs.
Allergens (pollen, dust, dander), airway pollution (smoke), previous airway infection (Bordetella), gastroesophageal reflux.
No additional information.
What are some potential risk factors for chronic bronchitis in dogs?
Obesity and periodontal disease.
No additional information.
Describe the pathophysiology of chronic bronchitis in dogs.
Bronchial inflammation and mucus cause coughing, bronchial walls become thickened, narrowing the airways, and walls weaken, leading to collapse and more coughing.
No additional information.
What is the typical signalment for chronic bronchitis in dogs?
Middle-age to older, often small breed and overweight dogs.
No additional information.
Describe the common presenting complaint and history of dogs with chronic bronchitis.
Chronic (1+ month) cough, often described as “harsh,” “hacking,” or “deep,” may produce mucus or “white foam,” terminal retch or “gag.”
No additional information.
What are the differences between Asthma and CHF? (photo)
