Aspiration Pneumonia

TL;DR. Ciężkie zakażenie płuc po wdychaniu pokarmu, wymiocin lub kwasu żołądkowego; natychmiastowa pomoc weterynaryjna.

Ciało obce omija krtań i silnie zapala płuco.

Co to jest?

Chemical pneumonitis plus often bacterial pneumonia after inhaling food, vomit, or gastric acid. Airway protection fails (GI disease, neurology, larynx, anesthesia).

Przyczyny i czynniki ryzyka

Almost always secondary. GI disorders >60% (megaesophagus ~26% leading). Neurologic ~18%, laryngeal ~13%; often multiple factors including recent anesthesia. Periodontal disease raises bacterial load.

Objawy

• Cough, respiratory distress, lethargy, fever, hypoxemia, crackles (common)
• Cyanosis, collapse, regurgitation, shock (occasional)

Postawa ortopneiczna: wyciągnięta szyja ułatwia oddychanie.

Jak diagnozują weterynarze

Auscultation (may be normal), thoracic radiographs (often right middle lobe), SpO₂, arterial blood gas, tracheal wash/culture, bronchoscopy if needed.

Leczenie

Oxygen, IV fluids. Broad-spectrum antibiotics culture-guided. Glucocorticoids only with extreme caution for pure chemical pneumonitis. Nebulization and coupage when stable.

Rokowanie

Favorable with early aggressive care (survival ~77–82% in referral settings); worse with ARDS/ventilation. Recurrence if cause uncontrolled.

Zapobieganie

Megaesophagus: upright feeding. Pre-anesthetic fasting. Dental care. Investigate vomiting/regurgitation early.

Kiedy dzwonić do weterynarza

Grade-5 emergency: severe dyspnea, moist cough, blue mucous membranes, collapse, fever with apathy.

Źródła

• Internal Medicine, 5th Edition, pages 357, 358.
• Small Animal Critical Care Medicine, 2nd Edition, pages 151, 152.

My highlights & notes

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