Medical and surgical management of severe barium aspiration in a dog

• Published in: Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2000) Vol. 18; no. 6; pp. 639 - 645
• Main Authors: Meola, Stacy D, Mazzaferro, Elisa M, Wheeler, Jason L, McKiernan, Brendan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Malden, USA : Blackwell Publishing Inc 01-12-2008; Blackwell Publishing Inc
• Subjects: aspiration; barium sulfate; bronchoscopy; lung lobectomy; pneumonia
• ISSN: 1479-3261; 1476-4431
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-4431.2008.00368.x

To describe the medical and surgical management of a unique case of barium sulfate aspiration pneumonia in a dog. A 5-year-old spayed female black Labrador Retriever weighing 33 kg was presented for evaluation of barium aspiration pneumonia. Approximately 200 mL of barium had been instilled into the caudal lung lobes via an improperly placed orogastric tube. Right caudal, right middle, and accessory lung lobectomies were performed, and the dog was managed intensively for 19 days in the hospital. This is the first report of a complete diagnostic work-up including bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, culture, thoracotomy, and pulmonary histopathology for severe barium sulfate aspiration in a dog with an excellent outcome.