Breathlessness in small animals Flashcards
(60 cards)
Cardiorespiratory problems
Dyspnoea (+/- cough, +/- cyanosis), sneezing/nasal discharge, cough, resp noise (localise this), collapse, weakness, exercise intolerance, heart murmur (+/- other clinical signs), dysrhythmia (+/- other clinical signs)
Clinical history q’s
diet, drinking, eating, urinating, defaecation, fluctuations in body weight, abnormal clinical signs at home/outside, any changes in activity level at home, any changes in personality/behaviour, changes in voice (laryngeal lesions)
Approach to animals with resp tract disease
Signalment, full and thorough clinical history
Inspiratory:expiratory phase in lower airway disease
often expiratory longer than inspiratory
Approaching this case in the consult room
observe the pt closely - does it require emergency admission or appear clinically stable? condition of pt, breathing (rate, pattern, regularity, depth and apparent effort), mm colour, behaviours worrying the owner
Normal inspiratory:expiratory phase
inspiratory longer than expiratory
Normal respiratory effort
minimal
Lower respiratory restrictive disease breathing pattern
fast shallow breaths. often both phases of breathing altered
URT disease breathing pattern
slow respiratory rate and an exaggerated inspiratory effort (longer phase)
Breathing pattern for IPF
Often limited to increased inspiratory effort - due to the reduced lung compliance
Lower respiratory restrictive disease examples
IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis), pleural effusion
Pleural disease breathing pattern
increased breathing effort (both inspiratory and expiratory) due to loss of pleural adhesion between the visceral and parietal layers of the pleura)
Rhonchi
continuous low pitched sounds that are best heard when breathing out - presence indicates an obstruction or increased amounts of secretions in the airways
Hyperpnoea
increased respiratory effort
Tachypnoea
increased RR
Trepopnoea
Dyspnoea in 1 lateral recumbency but not the other - unilateral lung or pleural disease, or unilateral airway obstruction, e.g. unilateral pleural effusion. often seen in pts when hospitalised and in lateral recumbency - can be dramatic deterioration so always be vigilant for this
Crackles
dry - higher pitched inspiratory sounds, acute or chronic.
moist - low pitched, fine popping inspiratory sounds, CHF and most prominent on inspiration (right hilar position 1st) - usually some resp distress. all crackles are usually discontinuous
Increased tympanic sounds could be caused by
pneumothorax, feline asthma, emphysema
Thoracic auscultation
Hindered by purring, panting & growling. Normal inspiratory sounds - soft, low pitched. Normal expiratory sounds - none or softer and lower pitched
Orthopnoea
Dyspnoea in any position other than standing or erect sitting - usually due to bilateral pulmonary oedema
Approach to thoracic exam
Thoracic palpation, auscultation, inspiratory and expiratory sounds
Thoracic palpation
presence of - apex beat, rhonchi, masses, deformities, pain (e.g. rib fractures)
Examining the chest using percussion
determines whether tympanic sounds created by the chest wall are normal, increase or decreased. best for larger dogs and cats.
Abnormal sounds
may or may not be associated with abnormal breathing patterns. Crackles, wheezes and rhonchi
