Lung: bronchoalveolar lavage

• Collection of samples from the bronchoalveoli allows microbiological and cytological diagnosis in rabbits presenting with suspected bronchopulmonary disease.

Uses

• To collect fluid for microbiology from the lower airway.
• To collect fluid for cytology from the lower airway.

Advantages

• Relatively quick procedure.
• Technique is relatively straightforward.
• If endoscopy is used, it allows visualization of the respiratory tract Endoscopy: overview.
• Yield and quality of samples are generally good.

Disadvantages

• Requires general anesthetic Anesthesia: inhalational.
• Intubation is essential Endotracheal intubation.
• Care must be taken with severely debilitated, dyspneic Dyspnea rabbits.
• If endoscopy is used, the technique is limited by the diameter of the endoscope Endoscopy: equipment. Small telescopes can only be used in larger rabbits and will usually only reach the tracheal bifurcation. Small flexible bronchoscopes are required for smaller rabbits and for bronchoscopy.

Alternative techniques

• Non-bronchoscopic lavage - use a sterile urinary catheter through the endotracheal tube.
• Transtracheal washing reported in other species (less likely to get a representative sample from the lower respiratory tract).
• Lung biopsy (significantly greater risk associated).

Time required

Preparation

• Anesthesia time.

Procedure

• 10-15 min.

Decision taking

Criteria for choosing test

• For collection of samples for microscopic and cytological diagnosis for rabbits with suspected bronchopulmonary disease such as bacterial pneumonia.

Risk assessment

• Risk associated with anesthesia.
• Greater risk with severely debilitated, dyspneic rabbits.