Introduction: The health status of shelter dogs is important for infectious disease control. The use of veterinary point of care ultrasound (VPOCUS) for screening pleural and pulmonary disease in shelter dogs has not been described.

Objective: To compare abnormalities identified on clinical examination, thoracic radiographs and VPOCUS in a cohort of shelter dogs.

Methods: Dogs prospectively underwent physical examination, 3 thoracic radiographs and thoracic VPOCUS recording 9 points bilaterally. Radiographs were read by a board certified specialist.

Respiratory abnormalities on physical exam, pulmonary and/or pleural abnormalities on radiographs and VPOCUS abnormal findings (more than 3 B-lines, presence of subpleural consolidations) were compared.

Results: 66 dogs were enrolled. Abnormalities were detected on respiratory exam in 3 dogs and at VPOCUS in 1. On radiographs 2 dogs had relevant pulmonary abnormalities (1 pulmonary mass, 1 cranioventral alveolar pattern consistent with bronchopneumonia) and 8 had minor radiographic changes of uncertain clinical significance. Two out of the 3 dogs with abnormal clinical examination had increased respiratory rate (≥40 bpm) but normal radiographs and VPOCUS, one had abnormal breath sounds, a pulmonary mass on radiographs and normal VPOCUS. The dog with abnormal VPOCUS findings (10 B lines ventrocaudally on the right) had normal respiratory examination but radiographs consistent with bronchopneumonia. In the 8 dogs with minor radiographic changes, physical examination was normal and VPOCUS was either normal or showed less than 3 B lines (4 dogs). All 66 dogs had Z lines (range 1–20), 55/66 dogs had I lines (range 1–10).

Discussion: The dog with abnormal VPOCUS findings had a similar lesion distribution on radiographs. The pulmonary mass identified on radiographs was not identified on VPOCUS, likely because not in contact with the lung surface at sites examined at VPOCUS. I lines were identified in the majority of and Z lines in all shelter dogs regardless of health status.

Conclusion: Although most clinically normal dogs had no abnormal radiographic and VPOCUS findings, few discrepancies occurred between clinical, VPOCUS and radiographic examinations when abnormal images were found. This result highlights the importance of appropriately interpreting images along with clinical information.