Dyspnea In The Cat Flashcards
What are some signs of respiratory distress in the cat?
- increase in RR
- increased inspiratory or expiratory effort
- open mouth breathing
- lethargy
- depression
- orthopnea
What makes up the upper airway?
Nasal passages, pharynx, larynx, trachea
What are some differentials for upper airway?
Stenotic nares, nasal foreign body, neoplasia, rhinitis, nasopharyngeal polyp, LARPAR, tracheal collapse
What are signs the cause of dyspnea may be in the pleural space?
- restrictive breathing pattern
- rapid and shallow respirations
- muffled lung sounds
What are some differentials for pleural space?
Pneumothorax, pyothorax, hemothorax, chylothorax, masses, diaphragmatic hernia, etc
What are small airway signs?
- In bronchi and bronchioles
- Expiratory dyspnea
- Increased BV sounds, wheezes, or crackles
What are some differentials for small airways?
Feline asthma, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary parasitic disease, toxocara cati, bacterial/mycoplasma infection, neoplasia
What are some signs of pulmonary parenchyma?
- Alveolar ducts and alveoli, pulmonary interstitium, or pulmonary vasculature
- Mixed inspiratory or expiratory dyspnea, increased BV sounds and often crackles
What are the differentials for pulmonary parenchyma?
Cardiogenic pulmonary edema, non-Cardiogenic pulmonary edema, pneumonia, hemorrhage, neoplasia, parasitic disease
What clinical approach should you take for cats with dyspnea?
- Immediate therapy (sedation, IV access, cooling if hypothermic), endotracheal intubation
- Sedation (Butorphanol)
How do you treat feline inflammatory bronchial disease?
Corticosteroids, bronchodilators
Long term: oral bronchodilator, prednisolone
What kind of feline coronavirus is most prevalent?
FECV
