View source for Canine and feline tracheal washes and bronchoalveolar lavage

[[File:NationWide Logo.jpeg|right|link=https://www.nwlabs.co.uk/|alt=NationWide Logo|240x240px|frameless]]Cytological examination of material collected by tracheal wash or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) often provides useful diagnostic information, particularly when combined with the

results of other investigations (imaging, culture) and the clinical history including details of therapy, particularly any antibiotic therapy. The aim of sampling is to achieve a high exfoliation representative of pathology in the large airways (tracheal wash) or small airways/alveoli (BAL). Unfortunately, while these techniques often yield diagnostic information in diffuse pulmonary disease, they may not be representative of localised or interstitial pathology, for example neoplasia. Samples collected by these methods are suitable for cytological examination and culture.
[[File:NWL Angiostrongylus larvae in tracheal mucus.jpg|center|thumb|Angiostrongylus larvae in tracheal mucus ©NationWide Laboratories 2017]]
[[File:NWLEosinophilic inflammation in a canine tracheal wash.jpg|center|thumb|Eosinophilic inflammation in a canine tracheal wash ©NationWide Laboratories 2017 ]]