Retrospektiver Vergleich von Katzen mit felinem Asthma und chronischer Bronchitis

Grotheer, Maike Susanna (2020): Retrospektiver Vergleich von Katzen mit felinem Asthma und chronischer Bronchitis. Dissertation, LMU München: Tierärztliche Fakultät

Abstract

Feline asthma and feline chronic bronchitis are considered the most common chronic lower respiratory diseases in cats and are frequently referred to by the term chronic bronchial diseases. In feline asthma, a hypersensitivity reaction type I is suspected. For chronic bronchitis, the aetiology remains largely unknown. Affected cats may suffer from coughing, dyspnoea, and increased respiratory sounds. Both conditions are currently defined by the cytological cell pattern in the bronchoalveolar lavage and may differ in ethology, treatment, and clinical course. For diagnosis, other underlying conditions must be ruled out, in combination with the evidence for non-bacterial, eosinophilic or neutrophilic airway inflammation. In addition to the established therapy with oral or inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators, the article also presents newer therapeutic and diagnostic options. Objectives Feline asthma (FA) and feline chronic bronchitis (CB) are common respiratory conditions in cats, frequently referred to as ‘feline lower airway disease’. However, the aetiologies of both inflammatory airway diseases are probably different. Little is known about the differences in signalment, clinical signs, laboratory abnormalities and radiographic features between cats with these two airway diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate whether certain parameters can help in differentiating between both diseases, as distinguished by airway cytology. Methods Seventy-three cats with FA and 24 cats with CB were included in the retrospective study. Inclusion criteria were compatible clinical signs and a cytological evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid indicating either FA (eosinophilic inflammation) or CB (neutrophilic inflammation) without cytological or microbiological evidence of bacterial infection. Parameters of signalment, physical examination, haematology and thoracic radiographs of both disease groups were compared statistically (P <0.05). Results The median age of cats with FA was 6 years, and was 7.5 years in cats with CB (P = 0.640). The most commonly reported clinical signs in both groups were a cough (95% FA/96% CB; P = 1.000), pathological pulmonary auscultatory sounds (82% FA/79% CB; P = 0.766) and dyspnoea (73% FA/79% CB; P = 0.601). Abnormal radiographic lung patterns were detected in 94% of cats with FA and 91% with CB (P = 0.629), respectively. Blood eosinophilia was significantly more common in cats with FA (40%) compared with CB (27%) (P = 0.026). Conclusions and relevance The study indicates that a differentiation of FA and CB by means of signalment, a single clinical sign, and haematological and radiographic findings is not possible.

• Dokumententyp: Dissertationen (Dissertation, LMU München)
• Keywords: Feline lung disease, eosinophils, respiratory distress, lower airway disease, dyspnoea, cough
• Themengebiete: 500 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik ; 500 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik > 590 Tiere (Zoologie)
• Fakultäten: Tierärztliche Fakultät
• Sprache der Hochschulschrift: Deutsch
• Datum der mündlichen Prüfung: 8. Februar 2020
• 1. Bericht­erstatter:in: Schulz, Bianka