respiratory emergencies

Question 1

Describe normal breathing

Answer 1

In normal breathing on inspiration the diaphragm is the most important and will cause an increase in volume in the cranio-caudal direction. The external intercostals with contraction will pull the ribs cranially and ventrally on inspiration. Then, on expiration the normal muscle of expiration are NOT employed in normal tidal breathing. The expiratory phase should be longer than the inspiratory.

Question 2

what are the signs of respiratory distress in a dog or cat

Answer 2

labored breathing, dyspnea, tachypnea, orthopnea

Question 3

describe emergency stabilization of a dog or cat in respiratory distress from any cause

Answer 3

1. minimize stress
2. oxygen supplementation: this doesn’t always help but is safe short term
3. provide sedation: butorphanol is the best option (rapid onset, mult routes of admin, minimal cardiace or resp effects, reversible)
   4 intubate if all else fails - it’ll buy you time for diagnostics

Question 3

should inspiration or expiration be longer?

Answer 3

expiration

Question 3

if an animals muscles are contracting more on expiration is that normal breathing?

Answer 3

nope

Question 4

labored breathing

Answer 4

outward signs of breathing difficulty

Question 5

dyspnea

Answer 5

sensation of breathlessness

Question 6

tachypnea

Answer 6

increased respiratory rate

Question 7

orthopnea

Answer 7

positional increases in difficulty - often head and neck extended, elbows abducted

Question 8

problems on inspiration

Answer 8

upper respiratory

lar par, tracheal collapse, FB, Polyps, BAS

Question 9

problems on expiration

Answer 9

lower airway

asthma, bronchitis

Question 10

increased effort during all phases

Answer 10

parenchymal (alveoli)

Question 11

short, shallow breathing

Answer 11

pleural space

pleural effusion, pneumothorax, diaphragmatic hernia

Question 12

what drugs could be alternatives to butorphanol for respiratory distress?

Answer 12

Benzos for older dogs and ace for lar par cases

Question 13

whats important in your brief PE of a patients in respiratory emergency?

Answer 13

visual inspection, brief ausculation, TPR (Temp can tell u if its cardiogenic shock), mucous membrane assessment

Question 14

describe left sided heart failure and how it might lead to a respiratory emergency

Answer 14

L sided heart failure -> L atrium enlarged -> backs up to the pulmonary veins -> increased hydrostatic pressure -> leakage = pulmonary venous distension

Question 15

thoracic wall disease

Answer 15

neurologic disease
muscular disease
orthopedic disease