Respiratory Diseases Flashcards
What are the 2 most common Upper Respiratory Tract Diseases that have already been covered (one in dogs and one in cats)
Feline Upper Respiratory Disease or ‘Cat Flu’
Canine Contagious Respiratory Disease or ‘Kennel Cough’
What is the Aetiology of Laryngeal Paralysis?
Its more common in dogs
Most cases are idiopathic
May be due to nerve damage (to laryngeal nerve) or neoplasia or iatrogenic (caused by surgical/medical intervention)
Some present as part of a wider nervous system dysfunction - polyneuropathy.
In some dogs, hypothyroidism is associated with this condition
What is the pathophysiology of Laryngeal Paralysis?
Damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve that supply muscles of the larynx to move the vocal cords.
This leads to functional failure of the vocal folds, preventing them from opening fully upon inspiration.
Inspiration becomes difficult as the vocal fold remain in a closed position.
What are the clinical signs of Laryngeal paralysis?
A slow onset disease that commonly presents as an emergency acutely - particularly after exercise or when the climate is hot.
Cough that progresses to:
- increased inspiratory noise (stridor)
- exercise intolerance
- problems swallowing food and/or water
- acute collapse and respiratory distress
How can Laryngeal Paralysis be diagnosed?
May be suspected by the clinical signs
Examination of the larynx should be performed under light sedation using a laryngoscope or endoscope to visualise the vocal folds during inspiration
Full neurological exam is required to establish if polyneuropathy is present.
Blood should be taken to rule out metabolic conditions such as hypothyroidism
What is the aetiology of tracheal collapse?
Unclear, but thought to be a combination of genetic, nutritional and or allergic triggers e.g. smoke
What is the pathophysiology of Tracheal collapse
Incomplete formation or weakening of C shaped tracheal cartilage, leading to inability to maintain tracheal patency.
During inspiration the cervical portion collapses leading to airway obstruction. During expiration, the thoracic portion of the trachea collapses.
What are the clinical signs of tracheal collapse?
Cough during exercise
Exercise intolerance/collapse
Goose Honk
Progressive signs of respiratory distress (likely to be paroxysmal - episodes)
How can tracheal collapse be diagnosed?
Endoscopy (bronchoscopy) of trachea
Fluroscopy (video x-ray for real time diagnosis)
Chest radiography - less reliable as a sole means
