Clinical and radiographic findings in cats with aspiration pneumonia: retrospective evaluation of 28 cases

Abstract

Objectives To describe the clinical syndrome of aspiration pneumonia in cats and record potential predisposing factors. Materials and Methods A retrospective medical records search for cats with a diagnosis of “aspiration pneumonia” or “bronchopneumonia” was performed. Cases were included if they had a complete medical record and three‐view thoracic radiographs with pulmonary changes consistent with aspiration pneumonia and no other radiographic or physical examination findings suggestive of another cause of pulmonary or cardiac disease. Results We identified 28 cases. Potential predisposing conditions included: vomiting (12 of 28; 43%), anaesthesia (five of 28; 18%), enteral nutrition (five of 28; 18%), preexisting oesophageal disease (four of 28; 14%), neurologic disease (two of 28; 7%) and laryngeal disease (one of 28; 3.6%); 15 of 28 (53%) had more than one potentially predisposing condition. The most common lung lobe affected was the right middle (18 of 28; 64%), followed by the left cranial (16 of 28; 57%); multiple lung lobes were affected in 16 of 28 (57%) cases. Most cats (25 of 28; 89%) survived to discharge, with a median hospitalisation of 3 days. Clinical Significance Potential predisposing factors for developing aspiration pneumonia in cats are similar to those recorded in dogs and people. Aspiration pneumonia occurred in cats following vomiting, anaesthesia or after receiving enteral nutrition. Survival rates are high following treatment with antibiotics and supportive care, with 89% of cats in this study surviving to discharge.

Clinical, Hematological, Acute phase proteins and Radiographic changes in different respiratory affections in dogs and cats

“…Hypoalbuminemia could be suggestive of lung inflammation and vasculitis that resulted in leakage of albumin into the alveolar space (Kogan et al, 2008). The radiographic views of cases suffering from pneumonia and aspiration pneumonia revealed a predominantly interstitial pattern and alveolar infiltrate, some cases showing lung consolidation, the same results were previously recorded by Dear (2014) and Levy et al (2019). The radiographic views of dogs' chest suffering from kennel cough revealed a predominantly bronchial pattern, but some cases showed mixed pattern, the same result was previously recorded by Vindenes et al (2015).…”

Bacterial Pneumonia in Dogs and Cats

“…Clinical signs and radiographic [36][37][38] findings (eg, right middle lobar consolidation or collapse) can also be considered suggestive of inflammatory airway disease rather than pneumonia. 16 As disease worsens, cats can become tachypneic with short, shallow breaths and nasal flaring. 17 Rarely do cat owners notice exercise intolerance associated with bacterial pneumonia.…”

“…Fever is detected in 16% to 50% of cases, so it is not a reliable indicator of disease. 8,16,[18][19][20]…”

“…1 and 2). 16,22 Ventral lung lobes are most commonly affected in aspiration pneumonia, and a caudodorsal pattern would be expected with inhaled foreign bodies or hematogenous bacterial spread. A lobar sign is often seen in cases of aspiration pneumonia in which the right middle lung lobe is affected ( Table 3).…”

Pneumonia in Cats associated with Neisseria sp.

“…In one of the animals in this study, the alveolar pattern was observed. In the other, the mixed pattern (interstitial and alveolar) suggested a picture of bacterial pneumonia as described by Levy et al [19].…”