Examples Of Respiratory Illness Flashcards
Brachycephalic syndrome
Refers to a series of deformities of short headed animals causing airway obstruction
What does brachycephalic syndrome include
Stenotic nares
Elongated soft palate
Everted laryngeal saccules
What breeds is brachycephalic syndrome common in?
Bulldogs
Pugs
Pekingese
Persian and Himalayan cats
What can brachycephalic syndrome cause?
Increased susceptibility to infection and heat stroke
How to treat brachycephalic
Surgery is available to correct deformities
Other problems with brachycephalic
Airlines are reluctant to take them on
Anesthesia always a risk
Epistaxis
Persistent nose bleeds may be due to clotting problems
Rat poison always a concern
How can epistaxis be caused
Trauma Fungal Severe infection Cancer Clotting problems
What diagnoses can be used for Epistaxis
May need blood work or CT imaging for nose
Questions to ask when epistaxis
History?
Young: could be congenital /hereditary , trauma, access to poison
Epistaxis treatment
Depends on cause
Nasal foreign bodies indications
Violent sneezing
Pawing at nose
Unilateral discharge
Difficult to remove if foreign body gets deeper
How to diagnose FB
Sedate to evaluate and examine
What specialized tools are used to remove FB
Long graspers
Endoscope
What could a fb result in
Infection/damage if left
Rhinitis / Sinusitis
Inflammation of nose and sinuses
When do we see rhinitis / sinusitis in cats ?
FVR virus ( feline viral rhinotracheitis) Usually seen when it has viral/bacterial infection
What does FVR stand for?
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
When do you see rhinitis and sinusitis in dogs
Usually infection in young ( viral, bacterial, nasal mites)
Fungal possible
Fb
Tumors
Symptoms of rhinitis and sinutitis
Sneezing
Congested
Nasal discharge
Treatment of rhinitis and sinusitis
Depends on cause
Treat infection
Remove FB and tumor
Choking / fb in larynx indications
Sudden onset of forceful coughing
Respiratory distress
Pawing at mouth
All indications
What to tell client if fb in larynx
Need to talk to vet asap to have Heimlich maneuver explained
If animal collapses, pull out tongue and start sweeping mouth
Laryngospasm / reverse sneezing
Common problem in dog, rare in cats
Snorting sound
Appears pet can’t breathe so it’s alarming to owners
Usually stops on its own
Laryngospasm in cats
Usually due to attempts to place endotracheal tube
Larynx closes and cat can collapse
What to do when laryngospasm occurs in cats
Need to deepen anesthetic
May try anti inflammatory if swelling
Tracheotomy if emergency
Laryngeal paralysis
Mainly problem in large dogs where vocal cords block the opening of the trachea
Obstructs airflow and causes roaring sound when dog breathes
Requires surgery to fix
Kennel cough syndrome
Group of highly contagious diseases in dogs that cause acute tracheobronchitis
Kennel Cough Signs
May bring up white saliva
Mucous
Gagging
Retching
Causes of kennel cough
Herpes Parainfluenza Canine adenovirus 2 Bordetella Streptococcus Mycoplasma Influenza
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic coughs last over two months due to bacterial infection of bronchi, aggravated my pollution, dryness , cigarette smoke, exertion
What issues can cause chronic bronchitis
Allergies, irritant
What can owners do if pet has chronic bronchitis
Remove cause if possible (not smoking) Cough suppressants Steroid anti - inflammatories Avoid excessive exertion Use harness or head collar in dogs , avoid tracheal pressure
Feline Asthma
Disease of cat caused by hypersensitivity or environmental allergens
More common in cats than dogs
May be worsened by smoke, perfumes, irritants (candles)
What can feline asthma be confused with ?
Hair ball
Hacking
What is the number one reason for cat to cough
Feline asthma
What can severe asthma do
Cause cyanosis and collapse
Can be life threatening
Treatment of feline asthma
Steroids (anti inflammatory and immune suppressant)
Bronchodilators
Inhalors/medications
Pneumonia
Inflammatory condition of lungs
Pneumonia causes
Bacterial or viral infection
Parasites
Inhalation of stomach contents
Chemical / smoke inhalation
Pneumonia signs
Very sick Fever Coughing Breathing changes Lethargic Anorexic
Pneumonia treatment
Fluids Treat infection Bronchodilators NSAIDs Coupage Vaporizer
Influenza
Fairly new disease Same signs as kennel cough Rarely fatal Vaccine available Young dogs, old dogs, immunosuppressive dogs, pregnant dogs
