Trace and major elements status in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in dogs with or without bronchopneumonia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the bronchopneumonia and mean concentrations of those trace elements in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Twenty-nine dogs were included this study (17 healthy dogs and 12 dogs with respiratory disease). Each BALF sample had been obtained during bronchoscope examination by use of a standardized method. The concentrations of Al, Br, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Ni, P, Si, Sr and Zn in BALF were measured by the particle-induced X-ray emission method. We found no relationship between the bronchopneumonia and the levels of elements in the BALF, except Ca, P and Zn. The dogs with respiratory disease were found to have a large amount of Ca and Zn, and a high Ca/P and Zn/Cu ratios in BALF compared to those without respiratory disease.