TRACHEAL MUCOCILIARY TRANSPORT RATE IN AWAKE DOGS

To measure tracheal mucociliary transport rate (TMTR) in awake dogs, r estrained in dorsal recumbency, (99m)technetium-labeled macroaggregate d albumin was administered by tracheal injection, and the cephalic mov ement of boluses containing the radiopharmaceutical was detected by a gamma camera positioned lateral to the dog's head and neck. The distan ce traveled by each bolus was measured, relative to external markers p laced a known distance apart. Tracheal mucociliary transport rates wer e calculated by dividing the measured distance of radiopharmaceutical movement by elapsed time. The technique was efficient and well tolerat ed. Mean (+/- SD) TMTR was 35.3 +/- 15.9 mm/min. Significant (P = 0.02 9) difference in TMTR was found between males and females, but signifi cant difference attributable to age of the dog was not detected. This method of measuring TMTR in awake dogs has potential for evaluation of clinical animal patients with suspected tracheal mucociliary abnormal ities.