Claire R. Sharp, DVM, BSc, BVMS, DACVECC

Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) is an interstitial lung disease (ILD) that involves gradual replacement of the lung parenchyma with fibrotic tissue, resulting in diffusion impairment.

Feline allergic asthma, also called feline asthma, or feline lower airway disease, is often used to refer to a somewhat heterogeneous group of conditions affecting the lower airways of cats.

Traumatic thoracic injuries are prevalent in small animals, particularly in dogs.

A large number of disorders (infectious, non-infectious inflammatory, immune-mediated, neoplastic etc.) can affect the bronchopulmonary tree in dogs. A comprehensive review of each disorder is beyond the scope of this presentation. Rather we will review key clinical points about the diagnosis and management of canine chronic bronchitis and pulmonary fibrosis.

A variety of disorders can affect the upper respiratory tract of cats; while the feline upper respiratory infection complex is one of the most common URT disorders, this lecture will focus more on more complex disorders such as chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngeal polyps and nasopharyngeal stenosis, as well as feline laryngeal disease.

Traumatic thoracic injuries are prevalent in small animals, particularly in dogs.

Feline lower airway disease describes a somewhat heterogeneous group of conditions affecting the lower airways of cats.

Recognizing that thoracic radiography is the first diagnostic imaging step for dogs and cats with thoracic disease, there is a lot more to thoracic imaging than radiographs. In specific circumstances additional modalities which may be considered include ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), fluoroscopy and nuclear scintigraphy.

A variety of disorders can affect the upper respiratory tract of dogs; we will focus on the most common, namely laryngeal paralysis, brachycephalic syndrome and tracheal collapse.