PNEUMONIA

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Causative Agent(s)

Viruses: Canine distemper virus, parainfluenza Virus, feline calicivirus

Bacteria: Bordetella bronchiseptica, Pasteurella multocida, E. coli, Mycoplasma spp. Fungi: Aspergillus spp., Candida spp.

Parasites: Filaroides spp., Aelurostrongylus spp., or Paragonimus spp. Other Causes: Aspiration pneumonia and inhalation of foreign object

Clinical Presentation and Epidemiology:

Pneumonia is the inflammation of the lungs and bronchi with symptoms of dyspnoea, hypoxemia, wheezing, coughing, lethargy, and fever. Pneumonia is more common in dogs and less occurring in cats. Viral pneumonia is more common in puppies while aspiration pneumonia and inhalation of foreign objects is common in older dogs. Most bacterial pneumonia in small animals is zoonotic with Pasteurella and Bordetella species being the most prevalent causative agents.

Diagnostic Considerations

History and presenting signs, physical examination including a detailed auscultation and palpation, haematology/biochemistry blood profile, microbial culture, and sensitivity test (MCS),   thoracic   radiography,   and   canine   distemper   antigen   test. Nasal swab/discharge should be taken for MCS.

Management and Treatment

First Line Antibiotics: (pending MCS result) Amoxicillin (20-30mg/kg PO, IM, IV q12hr),

Amoxicillin-clavulanate (10-20mg/kg, PO, q12h; 7mg/kg SC or IM daily), Tetracycline (22mg/kg PO q8hr)

 

Second Line Antibiotics

*Ciprofloxacin (5-15mg/kg PO, IV q12h 10-20mg/kg IV q12hr in cats),

*Ofloxacin (5-20mg/kg PO q12h in dogs)

*Levofloxacin (20mg/kg PO, IV q24hr in dogs), Ceftriaxone (15-50mg/kg IM, IV q12hr), Meropenem (12-21mg/kg IV, SC q8hr).

The antibiotics can be used between 10-42 days depending on severity of the infection.

Caution: Use of oxytetracycline and fluoroquinolones in dogs younger than 1 year and in animals with history of allergies, renal dysfunction, bleeding disorders and hepatic dysfunction is contraindicated.

Adjunct/Supportive Therapy to antibiotic usage.

In less severe form, rest the patient and give supportive fluids.

Supportive therapy: anti-inflammatory, vitamins and minerals, probiotics, during and after antibiotic usage. etc.