# Canine and Feline Tracheobronchial Foreign Bodies: A UK Multi-Centre Study

## TL;DR

This study examines tracheobronchial foreign bodies in dogs and cats in the UK, focusing on diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes to improve clinical decision-making.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the seasonality, diagnostic accuracy, and successful management of tracheobronchial foreign bodies in dogs and cats.

## Key findings

- Dogs, especially hunting breeds, are more commonly affected by tracheobronchial foreign bodies than cats.
- CT scans were more accurate than radiography in predicting the location of foreign bodies in dogs.
- Bronchoscopic removal was highly successful with excellent survival rates in both species.

## Abstract

If left untreated, inhalation of foreign material can result in potentially life-threatening complications. The main aim of this study was to describe signalment, diagnostic investigation, management and outcomes of dogs and cats with tracheobronchial foreign bodies (TBFBs) to aid reasoning and decision-making in a clinical setting. Dogs, particularly those of hunting breeds, were more commonly affected than cats, and the most common clinical sign in both species was coughing. Dogs were more commonly affected in summer months and often had a previous history of outdoor exercise. Imaging was useful to guide localisation, with the most common TBFB location being the right caudal lobe bronchus in dogs and trachea in cats. Bronchoscopic TBFB removal was commonly successful with excellent survival rates for both species.

Inhalation of foreign material is an uncommon condition that occurs more often in dogs than cats. The main aim of this study was to describe signalment, diagnostic investigation, management and outcomes of dogs and cats with tracheobronchial foreign bodies (TBFBs) in four UK referral centres. Ninety-two dogs and 14 cats with a diagnosis of intraluminal TBFBs between January 2012 and July 2019 were included. Labrador retriever was the most commonly represented canine breed (22/92). Cough was the most common presenting complaint, occurring in 89/92 dogs and 9/14 cats. Summer seasonality was recorded in 74/88 dogs, but no feline seasonality was observed. Radiographic suspected TBFB location agreed with definitive location in 15/22 dogs and 2/2 cats. CT-suspected TBFB location and definitive location agreed in 45/46 dogs and 4/5 cats. Most common TBFB location was right caudal lobe bronchus in dogs (35/97) and trachea in cats (6/14). One of 100 canine TBFBs and nine of 14 feline TBFBs were non-vegetal. Single-attempt bronchoscopic retrieval was successful in 88/92 dogs and 13/14 cats. Surgical retrieval was performed in 4/92 dogs. All patients survived to discharge. This study suggests a pattern of canine TBFB seasonality in the UK. Imaging was useful to guide localisation, and CT appeared more accurate at predicting TBFB location than radiography in dogs. Bronchoscopic TBFB removal was commonly successful, with excellent survival rates. Presenting signs, patterns of seasonality, imaging findings, and management outcomes are useful to help clinical reasoning and decision management in the practical setting.