RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN DOGS WITH SPONTANEOUS PULMONARY THROMBOSIS OR EMBOLISM

Thoracic radiographs of 21 dogs with necropsy-confirmed pulmonary thrombosis or embolism (PTE) were reviewed. Two major lung patterns were seen: (1) regional oligemia, giving the impression of a hyperlucent zone; (2) alveolar pulmonary infiltrate, indicating hemorrhage or infarction. Hemorrhage and infarction could not be differentiated radiographically. Other common findings were attenuation or loss of visualization of a lobar artery or lobar vein and pleural effusion, particularly with infarction and cardiac disease. PTE was often associated with renal disease (glomerulonephritis, amyloidosis), septic processes, pancreatitis, systemic venous or right heart thrombosis, cardiac insufficiency, and hypercorticism.