Histopathological changes in the lungs from dogs with tick paralysis: 25 cases (2010–2012). Issue 8 (26th July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Webster, RA; Mackie, JT; Haskins, SC
• Is Part Of: Australian veterinary journal. Volume 91:Issue 8(2013)
• Page Start: 306
• Page End: 311
• Publication Date: 2013-07-26
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Australia -- Periodicals; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/avj.12085
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-0423

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="avj12085-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To determine the prevalence and nature of histological lung lesions in dogs with tick paralysis.</p> </sec> <sec id="avj12085-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A prospective study of 25 client‐owned dogs that died during treatment for tick paralysis or were euthanased because of either the severity of the disease process or financial constraints was conducted at a veterinary emergency hospital in Queensland, Australia. Lung specimens were collected postmortem for histopathological examination.</p> </sec> <sec id="avj12085-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>All 25 dogs had significant pulmonary changes: 9 exhibited congestion and alveolar oedema, with no obvious inflammatory cell infiltrate; 1 exhibited a mild increase in the number of alveolar macrophages in addition to congestion and alveolar oedema; the remaining 15 dogs had moderate or severe bronchopneumonia, with 2 showing evidence of aspiration pneumonia.</p> </sec> <sec id="avj12085-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Dogs with clinically severe tick paralysis are likely to have pulmonary parenchymal disease. Bronchopneumonia may be present in a significant proportion of cases and may reflect aspiration.</p> </sec> </abstract>