Journal Article

Antimicrobial discontinuation in dogs with acute aspiration pneumonia based on clinical improvement and normalization of C‐reactive protein concentration

Fernandes Rodrigues, Nina, Billen, Frédéric, Bolen, Géraldine, Clercx, Cécile, Gommeren, Kris, Fastrès, Aline, Giraud, Léna

2022

Overview

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.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,John Wiley and Sons Inc,Wiley
• Subject: acute phase proteins / Animals / Anorexia / Anti-Bacterial Agents / Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use / anti-infective agents / Antimicrobial agents / Auscultation / bacterial pneumonia / blood serum / C-Reactive Protein / clinical examination / Clinical medicine / Dog Diseases / Dog Diseases/diagnostic imaging / Dog Diseases/drug therapy / Dogs / General Veterinary / Internal medicine / Life sciences / lung ultrasound / lungs / Médecine vétérinaire & santé animale / observational studies / Pneumonia / Pneumonia, Aspiration / Pneumonia, Aspiration/drug therapy / Pneumonia, Aspiration/veterinary / Proteins / quality of life / questionnaires / relapse / Sciences du vivant / Signs / SMALL ANIMAL / thoracic radiographs / Ultrasonic imaging / Ultrasonography / Ultrasonography/veterinary / Veterinary (all) / Veterinary medicine / Veterinary medicine & animal health