Relationship between paradoxical breathing and pleural diseases in dyspneic dogs and cats: 389 cases (2001–2009)

Kevin Le Boedec Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Toulouse, INP, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, F-31076 Toulouse cedex 03, France.

Search for other papers by Kevin Le Boedec in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DVM, MS
,
Catherine Arnaud Inserm and Toulouse III University, UMR 1027, Toulouse, F-31073, France.
Clinical Epidemiology Unit CHU, Toulouse, F-31000, France.

Search for other papers by Catherine Arnaud in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 MD, PhD
,
Valérie Chetboul Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 Ave du Général de Gaulle, 94704, Maisons-Alfort cedex, France.
INSERM, U955, Equipe 03, 51 Ave du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94010 Créteil cedex, France.

Search for other papers by Valérie Chetboul in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DVM, PhD
,
Emilie Trehiou-Sechi Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 Ave du Général de Gaulle, 94704, Maisons-Alfort cedex, France.

Search for other papers by Emilie Trehiou-Sechi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DVM
,
Jean-Louis Pouchelon Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 Ave du Général de Gaulle, 94704, Maisons-Alfort cedex, France.
INSERM, U955, Equipe 03, 51 Ave du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94010 Créteil cedex, France.

Search for other papers by Jean-Louis Pouchelon in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DVM, PhD
,
Vassiliki Gouni Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 Ave du Général de Gaulle, 94704, Maisons-Alfort cedex, France.
INSERM, U955, Equipe 03, 51 Ave du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94010 Créteil cedex, France.

Search for other papers by Vassiliki Gouni in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DVM
, and
Brice S. Reynolds Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Toulouse, INP, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, F-31076 Toulouse cedex 03, France.
Clinical Research Unit, Université de Toulouse, INP, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, F-31076 Toulouse cedex 03, France.

Search for other papers by Brice S. Reynolds in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DVM
Restricted access
Purchase Article

Abstract

Objective—To determine the strength of the relationship between paradoxical breathing (PB) and spontaneous pleural diseases in dyspneic dogs and cats.

Design—Cross-sectional study.

Animals—Dogs (n = 195) and cats (194) with a recorded diagnosis of dyspnea examined at the National Veterinary Schools of Alfort and Toulouse (France) between January 2001 and October 2009.

Procedures—Dogs and cats were divided into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of PB. Stratified analysis by species was performed. Signalment of affected animals and occurrence of PB were recorded. The relationship between PB and pleural diseases among dyspneic dogs and cats was analyzed.

Results—A strong relationship between PB and pleural diseases was highlighted in multivariate analysis (dogs, OR = 12.6 and 95% confidence interval = 4.6 to 31.2; cats, OR = 14.1 and 95% confidence interval = 6.0 to 33.5). Paradoxical breathing prevalence among dyspneic dogs and cats was 27% and 64%, respectively. Occurrence of pleural diseases in dyspneic animals with and without PB was 49% and 9% in dogs and 66% and 13% in cats, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of PB as a predictor of pleural diseases were 0.67 and 0.83 in dyspneic dogs and 0.90 and 0.58 in dyspneic cats, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values of PB were 0.49 and 0.91 in dyspneic dogs and 0.66 and 0.87 in dyspneic cats, respectively. Age, sex, feline breeds, and canine morphotypes in patients with PB were not significantly different from those of other dyspneic animals.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—PB was strongly associated with pleural diseases in dyspneic dogs and cats. The presence of this clinical sign should prompt small animal practitioners to implement appropriate emergency procedures and guide their diagnostic strategy.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 574 0 0
Full Text Views 2603 1163 88
PDF Downloads 1407 456 20
Advertisement