Nina Fernandes Rodrigues

Background: Evidence regarding optimal treatment duration in dogs with aspiration pneumonia (AP) and the role of thoracic radiographs (TXR) and lung ultrasonography (LUS) in the long-term follow-up of affected dogs is lacking. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a reliable acute phase protein to monitor bacterial pneumonia in dogs. Hypothesis: Investigate the safety of antimicrobial discontinuation based on clinical improvement and serum CRP normalization, as well as the usefulness of TXR and LUS for follow-up. Animals: Dogs diagnosed with AP and treated with antimicrobials. Methods: Prospective observational study. Antimicrobials were discontinued based on clinical improvement and serum CRP normalization after 1, 3, or 5 weeks. At each consultation, a quality-of-life questionnaire, physical examination, serum CRP, TXR, and LUS were assessed. Short- (2 weeks) and long-term (>1 month) follow-ups after treatment discontinuation were performed to monitor for possible relapses. Results: Seventeen dogs were included. Antimicrobials were discontinued after 1 week in 12 dogs (70.6%) and 3 weeks in the remaining 5 dogs (29.4%). Short-term relapse was not observed in any dog and long-term relapse was diagnosed in 3 dogs. Thoracic radiographs and LUS were useful for diagnosis, but did not add additional information during follow-up, because image normalization lagged behind clinical improvement and serum CRP normalization. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Dogs with AP can be safely and effectively treated using a short-term antimicrobial regimen discontinued after clinical improvement and serum CRP normalization. Imaging might still be useful for complicated cases with a less favorable response to treatment.

Background: Comparison of clinical findings, chest radiographs (CXR), lung ultrasound (LUS) findings, and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations at admission and serial follow-up in dogs with aspiration pneumonia (AP) is lacking. Hypothesis: Lung ultrasound lesions in dogs with AP are similar to those described in humans with community-acquired pneumonia (comAP); the severity of CXR and LUS lesions are similar; normalization of CRP concentration precedes resolution of imaging abnormalities and more closely reflects the clinical improvement of dogs. Animals: Seventeen dogs with AP. Methods: Prospective observational study. Clinical examination, CXR, LUS, and CRP measurements performed at admission (n = 17), 2 weeks (n = 13), and 1 month after diagnosis (n = 6). All dogs received antimicrobial therapy. Lung ultrasound and CXR canine aspiration scoring systems used to compare abnormalities. Results: B-lines and shred signs with or without bronchograms were identified on LUS in 14 of 17 and 16 of 17, at admission. Chest radiographs and LUS scores differed significantly using both canine AP scoring systems at each time point (18 regions per dog, P < .001). Clinical and CRP normalization occurred in all dogs during follow up. Shred signs disappeared on LUS in all but 1 of 6 dogs at 1 month follow-up, while B-lines and CXR abnormalities persisted in 4 of 6 and all dogs, respectively. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Lung ultrasound findings resemble those of humans with comAP and differ from CXR findings. Shred signs and high CRP concentrations better reflect clinical findings during serial evaluation of dogs.

A Beauceron was evaluated for a 3‐week history of unresponsive immune‐mediated polyarthritis and meningitis. Physical examination revealed a previously unreported grade III/VI left apical systolic heart murmur. Based on the echocardiographic examination and blood culture, a diagnosis of mitral valve infective endocarditis secondary to Listeria monocytogenes was made. Despite extensive workup, no definitive primary focus of infection was identified in this case. The endocarditis was suspected to have triggered secondary immune‐mediated polyarthritis and meningitis. The dog was treated with empirical antimicrobial combination therapy and immunosuppressives, and fully recovered from infection. No relapse was documented 5 months after discontinuation of treatment. Cardiomegaly secondary to persistent mitral regurgitation had developed. This is the first description of endocarditis secondary to L. monocytogenes in a dog.

Background C‐reactive protein (CRP) is a well‐known acute‐phase protein in dogs that may discriminate bacterial bronchopneumonia from other pulmonary conditions. Bronchopneumonia caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) is common but the associated increase in CRP concentration in naturally infected dogs has not been fully explored. Objective To compare CRP concentrations of dogs with Bb infection, with or without radiographic pulmonary lesions, to dogs with aspiration bronchopneumonia (ABP). Animals Sixteen dogs with Bb infection and 36 dogs with ABP. Methods Retrospective study. C‐reactive protein concentrations and thoracic radiographs were available for each dog. Results Eleven dogs with Bb infection had alveolar lesions. In all dogs, CRP concentration was mildly increased (14‐38 mg/L). In the 5 dogs without alveolar lesions, CRP concentration was within the reference range in all but 1 dog, in which it was slightly increased. Median CRP concentration was significantly higher in dogs with alveolar lesions (20 mg/L) compared with dogs without alveolar lesions (5 mg/L; p < .002). In dogs with Bb infection, median duration of clinical signs was not different between dogs with normal CRP concentration and dogs with increased concentration. In dogs with Bb infection either with or without alveolar lessions, median CRP concentration was significantly lower (20 mg/L) than in dogs with ABP (118 mg/L; p < .001). Conclusions and Clinical Importance In contrast to dogs with APB, CRP was not a good marker for the diagnosis of dogs suspected to have bordetellosis. Confirmation of Bb infection still requires lower airway sampling.