RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS OF THE 28th ECVIM-CA CONGRESS

Lymphocytic inflammation in the absence of airway eosinophilia or neutrophilia was present in 33/105 (31%) dogs, with lymphocyte percentages ranging from 20‐43% (median 24%). No bacteria were observed cytologically in any of these 33 dogs however pneumonia was confirmed in 3 dogs based on identification of pathogens in culture. Aspiration injury was suspected in 6/33 dogs. Concurrent eosinophilic airway inflammation (BAL eosinophils >14%) was documented in 15/105 dogs (lymphocytes 20‐36%) and in 57/105 (54%) dogs, neutrophilic airway inflammation (>8%) was found (lymphocytes 20‐52%), with pneumonia diagnosed in 13 dogs and chronic bronchitis in 18 dogs. Tracheobronchomalacia was documented significantly more often in dogs with lymphocytic inflammation alone (18/33) versus those with concurrent eosinophilic (2/15) or neutrophilic (18/57) inflammation, P = 0.01.