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ABSTRACT: Background
Evidence regarding optimal treatment duration in dogs with aspiration pneumonia (AP) and the role of thoracic radiographs (TXR) and lung ultrasonography (LUS) in the long-term follow-up of affected dogs is lacking. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a reliable acute phase protein to monitor bacterial pneumonia in dogs.Hypothesis
Investigate the safety of antimicrobial discontinuation based on clinical improvement and serum CRP normalization, as well as the usefulness of TXR and LUS for follow-up.Animals
Dogs diagnosed with AP and treated with antimicrobials.Methods
Prospective observational study. Antimicrobials were discontinued based on clinical improvement and serum CRP normalization after 1, 3, or 5 weeks. At each consultation, a quality-of-life questionnaire, physical examination, serum CRP, TXR, and LUS were assessed. Short- (2 weeks) and long-term (>1 month) follow-ups after treatment discontinuation were performed to monitor for possible relapses.Results
Seventeen dogs were included. Antimicrobials were discontinued after 1 week in 12 dogs (70.6%) and 3 weeks in the remaining 5 dogs (29.4%). Short-term relapse was not observed in any dog and long-term relapse was diagnosed in 3 dogs. Thoracic radiographs and LUS were useful for diagnosis, but did not add additional information during follow-up, because image normalization lagged behind clinical improvement and serum CRP normalization.Conclusion and clinical importance
Dogs with AP can be safely and effectively treated using a short-term antimicrobial regimen discontinued after clinical improvement and serum CRP normalization. Imaging might still be useful for complicated cases with a less favorable response to treatment.
SUBMITTER: Fernandes Rodrigues N
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9151469 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Fernandes Rodrigues Nina N Giraud Léna L Bolen Géraldine G Fastrès Aline A Clercx Cécile C Gommeren Kris K Billen Frédéric F
Journal of veterinary internal medicine 20220329 3
<h4>Background</h4>Evidence regarding optimal treatment duration in dogs with aspiration pneumonia (AP) and the role of thoracic radiographs (TXR) and lung ultrasonography (LUS) in the long-term follow-up of affected dogs is lacking. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a reliable acute phase protein to monitor bacterial pneumonia in dogs.<h4>Hypothesis</h4>Investigate the safety of antimicrobial discontinuation based on clinical improvement and serum CRP normalization, as well as the usefulness of TXR a ...[more]