CYTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE FLUID IN THE DIAGNOSISOF SPONTANEOUS RESPIRATORY-TRACT DISEASE IN DOGS - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Results of cytological analysis of bronchoalveolar ravage (BAL) fluid were compared with clinical diagnoses in dogs that presented with sign s of respiratory disease to referral hospitals. Of 68 dogs in which a clinical diagnosis was possible, BAL cytological findings were conside red definitive for the diagnosis in 17 cases (25%), supportive of the diagnosis in 34 cases (50%), and not helpful in 17 cases (25%). Findin gs were most often considered supportive of or definitive for the clin ical diagnosis in dogs with alveolar or bronchial radiographic pattern s, or the presence of pulmonary masses, BAL results among lung lobes d iffered in 23 of 63 dogs (37%) with diffuse radiographic patterns. Tra cheal wash cytology differed from BAL fluid cytology in 45 of 66 dogs (68%). Bronchoalveolar lavage was a clinically useful procedure for th e diagnostic evaluation of dogs with signs of respiratory disease. (C) 1995 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.