Dyspnoea SDL

Question 1

What should you do when presented with a cat that is severely dyspnoeic and mouth breathing?

Answer 1

• Oxygenate before doing anything!
• Minimise stress
• Wait until the cat has calmed down and stops mouth-breathing before performing a clinical exam
• If you need to do anything, e.g. place a catheter or radiograph, do this calmly while giving oxygen
• Can sedate with an opioid

Question 2

What diagnostics should you undertake in a cat with severe respiratory distress?

Answer 2

• Clinical examination
  
  • Assess for URT disease
  • Auscultation
    
    • Cannot hear, pleural
    • Can hear, pulmonary
• Radiography can be difficult
• If stuff in lungs, take a BAL
• CT can be beneficial

Question 3

What is the prognosis for pleural effusions?

Answer 3

• Chylothorax: uncertain
• Haemothorax: poor
• Pyothorax: can fully recover