This study was performed in Portugal from January 1st to March 1st 2019. A total of 106 dogs that were considered healthy after clinical examination, underwent a Thoracic Veterinary Point of Care Ultrasound (TVPOCUS) scanning protocol in which 17 locations were assessed (8 locations in each side plus subxiphoid view).
B lines are the reverberation artifacts that appear as hyperechoic lines from the pleura to the end of the screen without disappearing and Z lines are the short artifacts that start on the pulmonary surface between the parietal pleura and the fascia. The aim was to describe the number and distribution of B and Z lines.
The method consisted in a synchronized and systematic physical examination, radiological study and the TVPOCUS protocol. All data was registered, described and statically analyzed.
In the total of the 17 TVPOCUS locations, the study found that 72% (76/106) did not show any B lines, 19% (20/106) showed only one, 4% (4/106) showed two and the remaining 6 dogs presented more than 2 B lines, which is far from what would be expected as it is only considered abnormal when there are more than 3 or more B lines in a single intercostal space. All dogs presented Z-lines and all of these lines were found in the most cranial and left sided points.
The prevalence of B lines in the study was low. Z lines were present in all dogs (100%) and were more condensed in the left cranio-dorsal chest.