Porcupine quilling-associated pneumothorax in dogs: 25 cases (2001-2022).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical outcome of dogs that developed pneumothorax after an encounter with a porcupine. ANIMALS: 25 client-owned dogs from 2 practices in New England. PROCEDURES: The medical records were searched for those of dogs that underwent care for porcupine quilling-associated pneumothorax (PQAP) between August 1, 2001, and October 15, 2023. Dogs were all large-breed dogs or large mixed-breed dogs and most frequently had clinical signs associated with pneumothorax, including labored breathing and tachypnea. RESULTS: No cases occurred in winter months. Diagnostic imaging was useful for identifying pneumothorax, but not for localizing quills. Twenty-one of the 25 dogs underwent median sternotomy for quill removal, with quills found in lung tissue of 19 dogs. Two dogs had no intrathoracic quills identified at thoracotomy, but residual quills were identified in the intercostal muscles. Four dogs were discharged without surgery after apparent resolution of the pneumothorax. All dogs survived to hospital discharge; however, 5 dogs required subsequent quill removal from ongoing quill migration. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Porcupine quillings may result in traumatic pneumothorax associated with quill migration. Following quill removal, monitoring for the development of a pneumothorax is advised. Surgical removal of quills from the lungs has a good prognosis.

Reasons for evaluation on an emergency basis of and short-term outcomes for chickens from backyard flocks: 78 cases (2014-2017).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reasons for evaluation on an emergency basis of and short-term outcomes for chickens from backyard flocks. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 78 chickens. PROCEDURES: For chickens evaluated on an emergency basis at a New England veterinary teaching hospital in January 2014 through March 2017, information including age, sex, flock size, primary medical problem, final diagnosis, and immediate outcome was obtained from electronic medical records. Primary medical problems were classified as abnormal droppings, crop or gastrointestinal tract disease, lameness, neurologic disease, nonspecific signs (ie, undefined illness), respiratory tract disease, reproductive tract disease, and trauma. RESULTS: 78 chickens were evaluated on an emergency basis, of which 71 were females from small flocks. The median age of the chickens was 1 year (range, 0.1 to 7 years). The most common problem was trauma (n = 25), followed by nonspecific signs (11) and reproductive tract disease (10); 18 birds had neurologic disease (6), lameness (6), or gastrointestinal tract disease (6). Five birds had respiratory tract disease, and 3 had abnormal droppings. Six birds were brought to the emergency service for euthanasia only. Trauma, reproductive tract disease, and signs of Marek disease were most frequently identified in birds that were fully evaluated. Thirty-five (45%) chickens were discharged from the hospital. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that backyard flock chickens were evaluated on an emergency basis most commonly because of trauma and reproductive tract disease. Although approximately half of the evaluated chickens were euthanized, the remainder were discharged from the hospital and required medical management. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2019;254:1196-1203).

Effect of transoral tracheal wash on respiratory mechanics in dogs with respiratory disease.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a transoral tracheal wash (TOTW) on respiratory mechanics in dogs and to describe the use of a critical care ventilator (CCV) to determine respiratory mechanics. Fourteen client-owned dogs with respiratory diseases were enrolled. Respiratory mechanics, including static compliance (Cstat) and static resistance (Rstat), were determined before and after TOTW. Pre- and post-wash results were compared, with a P-value of < 0.05 considered significant. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) value of Cstat pre-TOTW was 1.59 ± 0.94 mL/cmH2O/kg while the mean ± SD of Cstat post-TOTW was 1.29 ± 0.71 mL/cmH2O/kg (P = 0.045). The median Rstat was not significantly different pre- and post-wash. The transoral tracheal wash altered respiratory mechanics, as observed by a reduction in Cstat, presumably due to airway flooding and collapse. While no long-lasting effects were noted in these clinical patients, this effect should be considered when performing TOTW on dogs with respiratory diseases. Respiratory mechanics testing using a CCV was feasible and may be a useful clinical testing approach.

L'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer l'impact d'un lavage transtrachéal (LTT) sur les méchanismes respiratoires chez le chien et de décrire l'utilisation d'un ventilateur de soins intensifs pour tester les méchanismes respiratoires. Quatorze chiens de compagnie atteints de maladies respiratoires ont été enrôlés. Les méchanismes respiratoires, incluant la conformité statique et la résistance statique, ont été déterminés avant et après un LTT. Les résultats pré- et post-lavage ont été comparés, en utilisant une valeur P < 0,05 comme significative. La moyenne ± écart type de Cstat pre-TOTW était 1,59 ± 0,94 mL/cmH2O/kg alors que la moyenne ± écart type de Cstat post-TOTW était 1,29 ± 0,71 mL/cmH2O/kg. (P = 0,045). Les médianes de Rstat pré- et post-lavage ne diffèrent pas de façon significative. Le lavage transtrachéal a altéré les mécanismes respiratoires, caractérisé par une réduction de Cstat, possiblement due à l'encombrement et au collapse des voies respiratoires. Cet effet temporaire chez nos patients devrait être considéré lors de l'utilisation de cette procédure chez des patients avec des troubles respiratoires. L'utilisation du ventilateur de soins intensifs pour le test des mécanismes respiratoires est faisable et peut être utile en clinique.(Traduit par les auteurs).