Section: Information In-depth
It is essential to consider the underlying risk factors and predispositions for pneumonia. This can help eliminate the cause and prevent its reoccurrence. Underlying risk factors may include:
Contagious upper respiratory infection
Pre-existent lung disease (bronchitis, lungworms, systemic mycoses, lung contusion, heartworm disease, smoke inhalation, thromboembolic disease)
A collapsed or airless state of the lung (pulmonary atelectasis)
Vomiting or difficulty swallowing associated with inhalation aspiration (inhalation) of pharyngeal or gastric fluid or contents
Oro-nasal sources of infection (sinusitis, dental disease)
Immunosuppression caused by a virus or disease
Immunosuppressive drug therapy (glucocorticoids, chemotherapy)
Abnormal respiratory defense mechanisms (Cushing's disease, chronic bronchitis, ciliary dyskinesia, neutrophil dysfunction syndromes)
Bronchial foreign body
Foreign body aspiration pneumonia from food or mineral oil, for example
Debilitation- and hospitalization-related infection (nosocomial)
Indwelling intravenous catheter sepsis (hematogenous spread)
Contaminated endotracheal tube, tracheostomy tube or bronchoscope
Aspiration (inhalation) of liquid foreign material during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures (barium sulfate, medications, mineral oil)
History of thoracic surgery or atelectasis
Other medical problems can lead to symptoms similar to those encountered in bronchopneumonia. Organisms that can cause bronchopneumonia may include:
Viruses
Rickettsia
Bacteria
Mycoplasma spp.
Fungi
Protozoa
Nematodes/trematode
Diseases that can appear similar to those with bronchopneumonia include:
Acute bronchitis
Aspiration (inhaling)
Bronchial foreign body
Chronic bronchitis
Congestive heart failure (pulmonary edema)
Electrical cord shock (non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema)
Heartworm disease
Infectious tracheobronchitis
Inflammatory lung disease (noninfectious)
Infection within the chest cavity (pyothorax)
Viral pneumonia (canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus)
Rickettsia pneumonia (ehrlichiosis or Rocky Mountain spotted fever)
Protozoal pneumonia (toxoplasmosis)
Parasitic pneumonia (capillariasis, paragonimiasis, aelurostrongylus, dirofilariasis)
Fungal pneumonia (histoplasmosis, Blastomycosis, coccidiomycosis)
Pulmonary abscess (pus in the lungs)
Pulmonary embolism (sudden artery blockage in the lungs)
Pulmonary fibrosis (development of fibrous tissue in the lungs)
Pulmonary hemorrhage (e.g. anticoagulant rodenticide)
Pulmonary neoplasia (cancer)
Respiratory parasites
Rhinitis (nasal inflammation due to fungus or bacteria)
Sinusitis/pharyngitis
Tonsillitis
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