Lecture 19 - Respiratory 5

Question 1

What are the components of the upper respiratory tract?

Answer 1

Nose, mouth, nasopharynx and oropharynx

Larynx

(Extra-thoracic) trachea

Question 2

What are the components of the lower trachea?

Answer 2

Intra-thoracic trachea 
Mainstream bronchi
Bronchi, Bronchioles 
Alveolar ducts 
Alveoli

Question 3

What are the main clinical signs of respiratory disease?

Answer 3

1. Sneeze or reverse sneezing
2. Nasal discharge
3. Upper respiratory signs - stertor and stridor
4. Cough
5. Lower respiratory signs - physical exam finding
6. Dyspnoea (difficulty breathing)

Question 4

Define the term sneezing and localise the problem:

Answer 4

Sneeze = a sudden and forceful and noisy expulsion of air from the lungs via the nose - protective mechanism to get foreign material out of nose

Sneezing localises the lesion to nose/nasal passages

Question 5

Define the term reverse-sneezing and localise it:

Answer 5

Reverse sneeze = paroxysmal, noisy, laboured inspiratory effort

Reflex is stimulated by material in the nasopharynx and sometimes the nose

Question 6

What is an example of a disease that could could reverse sneezing?

Answer 6

1. Excitement
2. Foreign bodies
3. Epiglottic entrapment of the soft palate
4. Post-nasal drip
5. Mass e.g. fungal, granulomas and polyps

Question 7

Briefly describe the difference between a serous and mucoid nasal discharge appearance:

Answer 7

Serous (clear, thin, acellular)

Mucoid (clear, thick, acellular)

Question 8

Briefly explain the terms purulent, mucopurulent and epistaxis with regards to nasal discharge:

Answer 8

Purulent = cream coloured to yellow or pale green

Mucopurulent

Serosanguinous = pink/orange

Epistaxis (frank blood)

Food

Question 9

Define the term “stertor”: and where it is localised to:

Answer 9

Congested “snorkly” - inspiratory or expiratory snoring noise caused by vibration of the soft tissue.

It can be localised to nose or nasopharynx

Question 10

Define the term “stridor” and state where it can be localised to:

Answer 10

Harsh, high pitched inspiratory noise.

Localised to larynx or trachea - caused by large and rigid airways

Question 11

What is laryngeal paralysis?

Answer 11

Common condition of middle to older age large breed dogs involving loss of normal function of the larynx

Question 12

Where are the cough receptors located?

Answer 12

The cough receptors are located along in the trachea and in the major bronchus

Question 13

What is the difference between a dry and a moist cough?

Answer 13

Dry cough - no airway secretion

Moist cough - airway secretions present

Question 14

What is a productive cough?

Answer 14

Productive cough = swallows, or produces sputum after coughing, Productive coughs are always moist/wet, but a cough can be moist/wet without being productive. Sputum = mucus - can contains WBCs with organisms or blood

Question 15

What is the difference between upper versus lower respiratory coughs?

Answer 15

Upper - HONKING COUGH - sounds like a goose honking

Lower - deep, soft cough

Question 16

What are the clinical manifestations of dyspnoea/respiratory distress?

Answer 16

1. Increased chest wall excursions
2. Greater abdominal component to expiration
3. Breathing through an open mouth
4. Flaring of the nares

Question 17

What conditions should be considered in an animal with shallow, rapid respiration with quiet or absent lung sounds?

Answer 17

Pleural space disease - pyothorax, chylothorax and pneumothorax

Question 18

What conditions should be considered in an animal that has a prolonged respiratory cycle with inspiratory and expiratory noise?

Answer 18

Fixed airway obstruction e.g. tracheal tumour, grade IV tracheal collapse

Question 19

What condition should be considered with adventitious lung sounds (e.g. crackling)?

Answer 19

Pulmonary parenchymal disease e.g. pneumonia or infiltrative lung disease.

Question 20

What is paradoxical thoracic wall movement?

Answer 20

Chest wall and abdominal wall move in opposite directions. Due to respiratory muscle fatigue and increased use of intercostals from prolonged respiratory distress