Severe haemoptysis associated with seizures in a dog

Authors: Johnson VS, Mansfield CS, James FE, Lenard ZM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 56, Issue 2, pp 85-88, Apr 2008
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Companion animal, Dog
Subject Terms: Circulatory system/haematology, Nervous system/neurology, Disease/defect, Respiratory system
Article class: Clinical Communication

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Abstract: CASE HISTORY: A 7-year-old, sterilised male German Shepherd dog was presented with a history of three episodes of severe haemoptysis and associated dyspnoea within a 3-week period. A generalised tonic-clonic seizure was witnessed preceding the third episode.
CLINICAL FINDINGS: Thoracic radiographs revealed a severe bilateral alveolar lung pattern of the caudodorsal lung fields; extension into the left cranial lung lobe was present but pulmonary vessels were within normal size limits. Frank blood was the only abnormality present at bronchoscopy. A coagulation profile, parasitological screening, thoracic and brain computed tomography (CT), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytological analysis did not identify any abnormalities.
DIAGNOSIS: Haemoptysis due to either severe neurogenic pulmonary oedema or rupture of the pulmonary capillaries secondary to seizures was considered a possible diagnosis. The primary generalised seizures were attributed to late-onset idiopathic epilepsy diagnosed by exclusion of other causes.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first known case report describing severe haemoptysis associated with seizures in a dog.
KEY WORDS: Lung, pulmonary haemorrhage, canine, noncardiogenic pulmonary oedema, neurogenic pulmonary oedema, epilepsy

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