Respiratory Flashcards
what is the function of a cough?
permit removal of material from airways (assist mucociliary clearance, expel inhaled particulate, protect against irritants)
what are the two types of cough receptors?
mechanoreceptor
chemoreceptor
where are cough mechanoreceptors found?
larger airways
where are cough chemoreceptors found?
medium airways
where are cough receptors most numerous in the airways?
larynx then trachea then bronchi
what parts of the airway have no cough receptors in?
bronchioles and alveoli
what are the three general differentials for coughing?
compression of mainstream lobar bronchi
stimulation of cough receptors
excessive mucus/fluid/inflammation
what can cause compression of mainstem lobar bronchi?
left atrial enlargement
lymph node enlargement
neoplasia
how will heart rate change in dogs coughing due to cardiac disease?
normal or increased
how will heart rate change in dogs coughing due to respiratory disease?
normal or decreased
what will the heart rhythm be of a dog coughing due to cardiac disease?
regular sinus rhythm or sinus tachycardia/arrhythmia
what will the heart rhythm be of a dog coughing due to cardiac disease?
sinus arrhythmia
when will a dog cough if the cough is due to cardiac disease?
at night or when sleeping/resting
when will a dog cough if the cough is due to respiratory disease?
when excited or on exertion
what sort of information would you like to find out in a history about a coughing patient?
environment
worming history
travel history
recent events/illness
other clinical signs
regarding the cough itself, what would you like to find out?
onset
character - productive??
description - when’s it worst??
length of cough
changes to bark
how will inflamed bronchioles look on radiographs?
doughnuts - side on
tramlines - longitudinal
what are the characteristics of the airways in chronic bronchitis?
excessive mucus production due to increased goblet cells and submucosal hyperplasia
damage and loss of cilia often with secondary infections
what dogs is chronic bronchitis most commonly seen in?
small/toy breed dogs
what is the prognosis of dogs with chronic bronchitis?
often guarded because mucosal changes or normally non-reversible
(aim to manage condition)
what is the diagnostic tool of choice for chronic bronchitis cases?
bronchoscopy and broncheoalveolar lavage (cytology, bacteriology…)
what should be visible on a successful BAL?
froth/foam on top (surfactant)
what is bronchial collapse?
regional to diffuse airway collapse of segmental/subsegmental bronchi with associated clinical signs due to airflow limitations
what is bronchial collapse also known as?
bronchomalacia
what type of cough is seen with bronchial collapse?
wheezy cough
what respiratory parasites can be found in cats/dogs?
Oslerus osleri
Crenosoma vulpis
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (cats)
what is the typical finding on bronchoscopy of an animal with Oslerus osleri?
nodules at the bifurcation
what is the typical finding on bronchoscopy of an animal with Crenosoma vulpis?
worms readily seen on airway (large worms)
what volume is used for BAL?
0.5-1ml/kg
how much fluid should be aspirated on BAL?
half of what you put in
how many washes should be carried out in BAL?
2-3 sites/washes
what are normal cell to see on BALF cytology?
ciliated columnar epithelial cells
goblets cells
macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils
how will you know if you BAL sample is contaminated with oral fluids (using cytology)?
presence of certain bacteria (Simonsiella)
what will be found on cytology of BALF in chronic bronchitis cases?
increased mucus
increased neutrophils and amacrophages
possible bacteria and particulate matter
possible squamous metaplasia of columnar epithelial cells
why should BALF be submitted for bacteriological culture in cases where chronic bronchitis is suspected?
to rule out bacteria or mycoplasma being the cause
what should be done in the general management of chronic bronchitis cases?
weight control
harness rather than collar/lead
avoid irritant/smoky environment