A Pilot Study on the Lung Morphology of Shelter Dogs in Relation to Air Pollution in Trinidad

OBJECTIVE:To identify and characterize the gross and histological lesions associated with air pollution in the lungs of dogs from various locations in Trinidad.ANIMALS:56 fresh lungs were obtained from already euthanized adult dogs collected from different locations in Trinidad at the Trinidad and Tobago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.PROCEDURES:Lung specimens were examined grossly and tissue samples were taken for routine histologic examination.RESULTS:Histological examination showed that 51.8% of the dogs had evidence of anthracosis. Dogs with anthracosis had greater median lesion scores compared to dogs without anthracosis (P = .022). There was no association between the presence of anthracosis and any other lesion in this study (P > .05).CLINICAL RELEVANCE:There was evidence that dogs with anthracosis had a greater degree of nonspecific lung histologic lesions. Using the dog as a sentinel model for human exposure in Trinidad, our findings indicate that environmental air pollution may also have an effect on the respiratory health of the human population. It is important for the public to be aware of air pollution, and the government of Trinidad and Tobago should develop an intervention protocol along with veterinary and human medical epidemiologists to reduce air pollution in the country.