retrospective study of canine persistent nasal disease: 80 cases (1998-2003)

• Published in: Canadian veterinary journal Vol. 49; no. 1; pp. 71 - 76
• Main Authors: Meler, E, Dunn, M, Lecuyer, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada Canadian Veterinary Medical Association 2008
• Subjects: Animals; bacterial infections; Chronic Disease; cleft palate; Diagnosis, Differential; disease diagnosis; dog diseases; Dog Diseases - diagnosis; Dog Diseases - etiology; Dogs; etiology; Female; foreign bodies; Foreign Bodies - complications; Foreign Bodies - diagnosis; Foreign Bodies - veterinary; gingivitis; Male; mycoses; nasal cavity; Nasal Cavity - pathology; nasal diseases; neoplasms; Nose Diseases - diagnosis; Nose Diseases - etiology; Nose Diseases - veterinary; Nose Neoplasms - diagnosis; Nose Neoplasms - etiology; Nose Neoplasms - veterinary; parasitoses; Retrospective Studies; rhinitis; Rhinitis - diagnosis; Rhinitis - etiology; Rhinitis - veterinary; Scientific; Sensitivity and Specificity
• ISSN: 0008-5286

Persistent canine nasal disease is a common complaint in small animal practice; however, an etiologic diagnosis can be difficult to establish. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the percentage of cases for which the etiology was determined in our hospital population. Medical records from 80 dogs met the criteria of inclusion in the study. Nonspecific rhinitis was identified in 23.7% of cases. Other diagnoses were neoplasia (15.0%), fungal infection (nasal aspergillosis) (8.7%), cleft palate (8.7%), periodontal disease (4.0%), parasites (1.3%), foreign body (1.3%), and primary bacterial disease (1.3%). A definitive diagnosis could not be established in 36.3% of cases. Dogs with neoplastic and mycotic diseases often presented with severe radiographic and rhinoscopic lesions. Despite a systematic approach, numerous cases went undiagnosed. The use of advanced imaging should increase our ability to obtain an etiologic diagnosis in canine nasal disease.