Case Study

RADS: Chronic or Healed Bronchitis in a 15 year old FS West Highland Terrier dog

This 15 year old FS West Highland Terrier was presented with a history of collapsing, tremors and hypertension; currently being treated with Amlodipine. Suspect right lung collapse or pneumonia.

BP 130mmHg

This 15 year old FS West Highland Terrier was presented with a history of collapsing, tremors and hypertension; currently being treated with Amlodipine. Suspect right lung collapse or pneumonia.

BP 130mmHg

DX

The radiographic findings are compatible with chronic or healed bronchitis. The radiographic findings are only mild which does not rule out clinical disease. The most likely underlying causes include infectious disease such as viral and/or bacterial. Although lungworm infection cannot be ruled out entirely. Potential is low and the main differential diagnosis to infectious bronchitis that has to be considered is allergic bronchitis. For example, eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy.

Image Interpretation

Rads of thorax, right lateral, left lateral and VD: The views were obtained in moderate inspiration. The osseous structures showed there was moderate generalized decrease in bone opacity which likely is a function of the age of the patient. Moderate degenerative changes were present at the sternum. The extrathoracic soft tissue structures showed there was a redundant cervical tracheal membrane which is an incidental finding.
Intrathoracic structures showed a cardiac silhouette with mild cranial rotation and mildly broadened sternal contact. A bulging was noted level with the main pulmonary artery. The pulmonary vessels were thin. There was a moderate generalized bronchial pattern with mild peribronchial cuffing, bronchial wall mineralization and cylindrical as well as saccular bronchiectasia. Moreover multiple incidental pulmonary osteomas/pleural plugs were seen.

Outcome

If there is lack of response to symptomatic treatment, a bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and lungworm testing is recommended. The changes associated with the cardiac silhouette likely are a function of exposure during systole. The potential for pulmonic stenosis is mild and should be investigated further with echocardiography in case of clinical signs/presence of a murmur.