Dynamic pulmonary compliance as a measurement of lung function in dogs

Abstract

Measurement of the dynamic pulmonary compliance was carried out on 27 normal dogs weighing 11-8 to 26-4 kg Variations in the results of repeated observations and difficulties in allowing for differences in lung size between dogs limited the usefulness of the measurement as a test of lung function. Pulmonary compliance was found to correlate better with trunk length than with bodyweight or chest circumference. The mean value for dynamic pulmonary compliance measured during inspiration in 27 normal dogs was 0-117 litre/cmH20 with a standard deviation of 0-046 litre/cmH2O. Measurements were made on six dogs with clinical respiratory disease.