This study provides supportive evidence of a correlation between airway eosinophilic inflammation and plethysmographic measures of bronchoconstriction and airway responsiveness. Further investigation of the use of barometric whole body plethysmography to differentiate between forms of chronic bronchial disease in cats is indicated.

BackgroundThe use of quantitative PCR (qPCR) for detection of Bordetella bronchiseptica in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and demonstration of bacteria adhering to ciliated epithelial cells in BALF or bronchial brushing fluid (BBF) has not been assessed in a series of affected dogs. Coinfections can worsen the clinical severity in bordetellosis, but the specific association with Mycoplasma cynos has not been evaluated.ObjectivesTo assess the utility of culture, qPCR and cytologic examination of cytospin preparations in the diagnosis of bordetellosis in dogs and the influence of coinfection by M. cynos on disease severity.AnimalsTwenty‐four referred dogs with B. bronchiseptica infection and 10 healthy dogs.MethodsRetrospective case series. qPCR (B. bronchiseptica and M. cynos) and culture results from BALF were recorded. Cytospin preparations from BALF and BBF were reviewed. qPCR on BALF from 10 healthy dogs were used as negative control.ResultsThe BALF culture and qPCR detected B. bronchiseptica in 14/24 and 18/18 dogs, respectively. Coccobacilli were found adhering to ciliated epithelial cells in 20 of the 21 BALF cytologic preparations where epithelial cells were found, and 2/3 BBF cytologic preparations. Quantitative PCR detected a low level of B. bronchiseptica in one healthy dog. The frequency of detection of M. cynos was not significantly different in B. bronchiseptica (9/17 dogs) compared with healthy dogs (2/10 dogs) (P = .09).Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceQuantitative PCR detection of B. bronchiseptica in BALF appears to be a useful diagnostic tool. Cytologic examination of BALF or BBF, when positive, allows a rapid and reliable diagnosis.

a b s t r a c tThe aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of age on bronchoscopic features and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cellularity in dogs. Thirty healthy beagle dogs from three age groups were included: young dogs (10 months to 4.5 years of age; n = 8), middle-aged dogs (5-8 years old; n = 13) and older dogs (>8 years; n = 9). Haematology, thoracic radiography, bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed; bronchoscopic findings were scored and BALF total and differential cell counts were determined. The total bronchoscopic score was higher in older dogs; these dogs had more irregular bronchial mucosa, more prominent mucosal vessels and bronchiectasis. Younger dogs had a higher percentage of neutrophils in BALF compared with middle-aged and old dogs and a higher percentage of lymphocytes in BALF compared with middle-aged dogs. The results show that age has an effect on bronchoscopic features of airways and the composition of BALF in the dog.