This 9 month old Chihuahua dog presented with a history of coughing of 2 weeks duration, progressively getting more consistent; worsens with excitement.
This 9 month old Chihuahua dog presented with a history of coughing of 2 weeks duration, progressively getting more consistent; worsens with excitement.
VD and lateral thorax and abdomen – Several bronchial ring shadows are seen, otherwise the thoracic cavity is within normal limits for this age dog. Abdominal cavity also within normal limits
An underlying cause of the clinical signs cannot be determined finally based on the radiographic findings.
Congestive cardiac failure as well as tracheal collapse can be ruled out as underyling causes here.The bronchial pattern may be a consequence of infectious (such as viral, parasitic, bacterial) or allergic bronchitis. In a young animal congenital mucociliary dysfunction, congenital bronchial collapse with secondary bronchitis has to be considered as well. However the association of the clinical signs with the excitement may be an indication of dynamic bronchial/tracheal collapse.
Tracheobronchoscopy appears to be a reasonable method here to assess for possible dynamic collapse and obtain bronchoalveolar lavage (rule out infectious/eosinophilic bronchitis) as well as samples of the tracheal/bronchial walls (evaluate ciliary epithelium). Check for lung worms.
