Clinical Studies

Pneumonia (infection in the lungs) is a common diagnosis in dogs and cats and can be caused by a variety of pathogens (i.e., bacteria, viruses, fungal organisms). Collecting fluid samples from the lungs of patients with pneumonia allows for tests to be performed that can identify the organism causing the infection. When bacterial organisms are identified, these tests can also determine whether the bacteria are resistant to any antibiotics. This data helps doctors to select the ideal treatments to use in patients with pneumonia, which will result in the best possible outcome for the patient. Unfortunately, many of these pneumonia tests can take up to 3-5 days to get the results back, with more complicated infections potentially taking even longer. While waiting for these results, patients will be started on treatments selected by their doctor based on what they expect will be the most effective. However, the long turnaround time for these tests can result in delays in getting the confirmation that the patient has been started on the best treatment plan and therefore delaying the initiation of the best treatment. The purpose of this study is to obtain respiratory samples from dogs and cats diagnosed with pneumonia who are already scheduled to have respiratory samples collected as part of their planned diagnostic work up. These samples will be used to validate a new diagnostic device that is being developed, which will have the ability to diagnose pneumonia and detect antibiotic resistance within only a few hours, significantly improving how doctors are able to care for patients with pneumonia.

Eligibility Criteria

• Dogs and cats with naturally-occurring pneumonia for which the attending veterinarian has recommended airway sampling
• Patient is not currently on any antibiotics

Participating Hospitals

• Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital, Wheat Ridge, CO
• VERC, Honolulu, HI