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BOAS TESTING
Apr 04, 2023Validation of exercise testing and laryngeal auscultation for grading brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in pugs, French bulldogs, and English bulldogs by using whole-body barometric plethysmography Julia Riggs MA, VetMB, DipECVS, Nai-Chieh Liu DVM, MPhil, PhD, Dawn R. Sutton BVSc, David Sargan MA, PhD, Jane F. Ladlow MA, VetMB, DipECVS First published: 21 January 2019 https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13159Citations: 21 Julia Riggs is currently at Willows Referral Service, Solihull, United Kingdom. Dawn R. Sutton is currently at Langford Vets, Bristol, United Kingdom. The content of this study was presented, in part, at the European College of Veterinary Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting; July 13-15, 2017; Edinburgh, United Kingdom; the American College of Veterinary Surgeons Surgery Summit; October November 14, 2017; Indianapolis, Indiana; and at the Association of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgeons Spring Meeting; April 4, 2018; Birmingham, United Kingdom. Funding information: The Kennel Club Charitable Trust has provided support for the BOAS research group at Cambridge and funded whole-body barometric plethysmography Abstract Objective
To determine whether the sensitivity of clinical examination for assessing upper airway disease severity in 3 breeds of brachycephalic dogs can be improved by incorporating an exercise test (ET) or by auscultation of a laryngeal stridor to predict laryngeal collapse.
Study design
Prospective clinical study.
Animals
Client-owned brachycephalic dogs (n = 44 ET; n = 57 laryngeal stridor assessment).
Methods
In the first part of the study, clinical examinations were performed at rest and after 5-minute walk and 3-minute trot tests, and a grade reflective of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) severity was assigned. Whole-body barometric plethysmography was used as a comparative, objective measure of disease severity. In the second part of the study, the degree of laryngeal collapse present in dogs undergoing BOAS surgery was compared to pre-exercise and postexercise laryngeal stridor detected during functional testing.
Results
The sensitivity of clinical examination for BOAS diagnosis was 56.7% pre-ET, 70% after a 5-minute walk test, and 93.3% after a 3-minute trot test. The sensitivity of laryngeal stridor as a predictor of laryngeal collapse was improved after exercise (70
Conclusion
The sensitivity of clinical examination for BOAS diagnosis was improved by inclusion of an ET, particularly the 3-minute trot test. Audible laryngeal stridor was highly specific but only moderately sensitive for laryngeal collapse.
Clinical significance
Inclusion of a 3-minute trot test and careful auscultation for laryngeal stridor are recommended during BOAS assessment of brachycephalic dogs.