Respiratory Medicine Flashcards
How do we localize respiratory signs?
Upper vs. Lower
Classify the following as upper or lower respiratory: Nasal Discharge.
Upper
Classify the following as upper or lower respiratory: Sneezing/reverse sneezing.
Upper
Classify the following as upper or lower respiratory: Increased effort on inspiration
Upper
NOTE: INSPIRATION is upper, EXPIRATION is lower
Classify the following as upper or lower respiratory: Audible sounds (stertor, stridor, snoring).
Upper
Classify the following as upper or lower respiratory: Open-mouth breathing.
Upper
Classify the following as upper or lower respiratory: Pawing at face.
Upper
What does pawing at the face indicate usually?
FB in the airway
Classify the following as upper or lower respiratory: Cough.
Lower
What is the hallmark sign of lower respiratory disease?
Coughing
What must you also keep in mind when you see coughing?
Heart disease
Classify the following as upper or lower respiratory: Respiratory distress.
Lower
Classify the following as upper or lower respiratory: Increased effort on expiration.
Lower
What is almost always the cause of nasal discharge?
Nasal cavity disease.
Name 4 types of discharge.
Serous
Mucopurulent
Mucoid
Hemorrhagic
What often accompanies nasal discharge?
Sneezing
What are two key aspects of the physical exam?
Signalment and history
What are two ways we can examine nasal airflow?
Glass slide
Wisp of cotton
What are two things you should NORMALLY be able to do in a physical exam that you might not in nasal cavity disease?
Ocular retropulsion
Depress the soft palate
Where does sneezing localize disease to?
Nasal cavity
Is a reverse sneeze a problem?
No
What is stertor?
Gurgling or snoring
What is stridor?
High-pitched noise or whine usually on expiraion
When can you hear expiratory stridor?
Intrathoracic tracheal collapse (laryngeal paralysis)
What is the hallmark of trachea/lung disease or cardiac failure?
Cough
What are 3 triggers of coughing?
Inflammatory products
Excessive secretions
Airway collapse
How are coughs classified?
Dry, non-productive
Wet, productive
What is your next step with a non-cardiogenic cough?
Chest RADs
If you take chest RADs for a cough and they’re normal, what must you consider?
Tracheal disorders
If you take chest RADs for a cough and they’re abnormal, what does that tell you?
Lower airway and pulmonary parenchyma disease
What is important to remember about the term dyspnea?
It is a human term. In vet med, we should use “respiratory distress”.
What is tachypnea?
Increased RR
Is tachypnea always bad?
No
What is panting?
In dog, dispels heat. In cats can mean respiratory distress or stress.
What is orthopnea?
Upright position with elbows abducted
THINK PLEURAL DISEASE
What is respiratory distress most often associated with?
Lower airway disease
When does tachypnea become respiratory distress?
When it is causing distress
What is respiratory distress all about?
The O2.
What are 5 causes of respiratory distress?
Insufficient O2 in inspired air Insufficient ventilation Insufficient circulation Insufficient RBC Abnormal Hb
What does cyanosis indicate?
Severe hypoexemia
What are 5 things you should do in your physical exam to determine site of respiratory signs?
Listen Observe respiratory pattern Check for nasal airflow (if upper airway obstruction) Tracheal palpation Auscult lungs
What does increased INSPIRATORY effort indicate?
Upper airway obstruction
What does increased EXPIRATORY effort indicate?
Lower airway obstruction
Describe normal bronchial sounds.
Loudest over hilus
During expiration
Sounds like wind blowing
Describe normal vesicular sounds.
Best on inspiration
At periphery of chest
Sounds like rustling leaves
Describe normal bronchovesicular sounds.
Mixture of bronchial and vesicular, but mostly expiratory
Increase in intensity at central airway
What causes “crackles” in the lungs?
Airways snapping open (closed due to fluid in or around them)
What causes wheezes?
Airflow through a narrow opening
When are wheezes best heard?
Expiration
If you hear a loud snap over the hilus at the end of expiration, what should you be thinking?
Collapse of intrathoracic trachea, carina or mainstem bronchi
What do “goose honks” indicate?
Tracheal collapse
What causes a creaking/grating sound?
Pleural friction rubs
What is the most important diagnostic test for signs of respiratory system disease?
Imaging
What MUST you do before imaging?
Stabilize patient
Is a minimum database required for all respiratory cases?
No
What 2 things can sometimes be more important than the minimum database?
Fecal
HWT
What has become the standard for evaluating the nasal cavity?
CT/MRI
What are 3 indications for a nasal flush?
FB suspected
Cleanse airways prior to rhinoscopy
Obtain samples for cytology
What is the difference between a rhinoscopy and a bronchoscopy?
Rhinoscopy is just the nasal cavity
Bronchoscopy looks at lower respiratory tract
What landmark do you NEVER pass when performing a blind core biopsy?
Medial canthus of the eye
What must you be careful not to hit when performing a blind core biopsy?
Cribiform plate
When is bronchoscopy contraindicated?
In sever respiratory compromise UNLESS therapeutic (removing FB)
When is a Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) indicated?
Lung dz involving small airway, alveoli or interstitium
What can be done to retrieve material from within lungs for sampling?
BAL
On what patients can you perform a transtracheal wash and aspirate?
Medium-larger breed dogs
On what patients can you perform an endotracheal or transoral wash and aspirate?
Cats and tiny dogs
What are 2 indications for a transthoracic lung aspiration?
Intrathoracic mass (in contact with thoracic wall) Diffuse disease
What is a contraindication to a transthoracic lung aspiration?
An abscess
What are 3 possible complications of a transthoracic lung aspiration?
Hemothorax
Pneumothorax
Potentially pyothorax later
What are 2 reasons for placing a chest tube?
Treatment of pyothorax
Management of pneumothorax
What is coupage?
Banging on the chest
What is the purpose of coupage?
To break up mucous
If you see nasal discharge and depigmentation, what should you think of?
Aspergillosis
What are the top 5 things on your differential list for nasal discharge?
FB Rhinitis Dental dz Neoplasia Trauma
What 5 things do we expect to see with a nasal FB?
Acute onset Acute sneezing Gagging/reverse sneezing Pawing Discharge (serous -> mucopurulent after time)
What is rhinitis?
Inflammation of the nasal cavity
What 2 pathogens are responsible for 90% of feline upper resp. cases?
Feline herpesvirus
Feline calicivirus
What 4 pathogens are responsible for 10% of feline upper resp. cases?
Chlamydophyla felis
Mycoplasma
Coronavirus
Bordatella
What is a key sign of feline herpesvirus?
Corneal ulcers/ulcerative keratitis
What are 2 key signs of feline calicivirus?
Oral ulcers (and on nose) Pneumonia
What causes limping kitten syndrome?
Feline calicivirus
What is a key sign of Chlmydophyla?
Conjunctivitis with chemosis (conjunctival edema)
Which virus is shed with stress?
Herpesvirus
Which 2 viruses can be shed with or without stress?
Calici
Chlamdyophyla
How is feline herpes transmitted?
Direct contact
Fomites (US!!)
Why do we treat cats with herpesvirus with systemic abx?
Secondary infections
What are 3 sequelae to herpesvirus?
Chronic rhinitis (turbinate damage = "snuffler") Chronic conjunctivitis Fibrosis of lacrimal ducts = epiphora (overflow of tears)
What does oral lysine do?
Reduces herpes virus replication
What are the 2 oral antivirals we use?
Famciclovir
Acyclovir
What are 2 other treatments for herpes cats that fall under “supportive care”?
Abx for secondary infection
Fluids (keeps animal hydrated and mucus is less sticky)
How can the herpes vaccine be administered?
Parenteral
Intranasal
Which herpes vaccine formulation is best in outbreaks?
Intranasal
Intranasal is not blocked by maternal abs like parenteral is
Which herpes vaccine formulation may prevent the carrier state?
Intranasal
What is important to remember about calicivirus?
Has a high mutation rate and no cross protection from vaccines
What 2 ways is calicivirus transmitted?
Via direct contact or fomites
T/F: Calicivirus is easily killed with routine disinfectants.
False. It is resistant and has a longer survival time in the environment
What are the 2 distinct calicivirus syndromes?
Limping Kitten Syndrome
Virulent Hemorrhagic Systemic Syndrome
What 3 signs do we see with limping kitten syndrome?
Lameness
Ulcers on paws
Sore joints
Does the normal calicivirus vaccine strain protect against Virulent Hemorrhagic Systemic Syndrome?
No
What is the main treatment for Calicivirus?
Mostly supportive
What 4 sequelae can you see from calicivirus?
Chronic rhinitis
Sinusitis
Conjunctivitis
Carrier state
What is the hallmark sign of Chlamydophila felis?
Conjunctivitis with chemosis
What 2 ways can you dx Chlamydophila felis?
Conjuctival smear (see intracytoplasmic inclusions) PCR: conjunctivia, nares or oropharynx
How do you treat Chlamydophila felis?
Topical tetracycline or erythromycin
If systemic: oral doxy or azithromycin
NOTE: Remember to give water with doxy to prevent esophageal stricture.
Why isn’t chlamydophila felis vaccine core?
More reactive than other antigens
What are the 6 basics for treating upper respiratory dx in cats?
Warm and hydrated Remove crusts Humidify Topical decongestants Systemic abx Topical opthalmics
What topical decongestant is preferred when treating a cat with upper respiratory dz?
Phenylephrine
What would you always consider as secondary with nasal discharge?
Bacterial rhinitis
What are the 2 big signs of nasal aspergillosis?
Nasal ulceration and depigmentation
If you suspect aspergillosis, what is the best sample to collect?
Plaques, though can be done on discharge if owner can’t afford rhinoscopy to retrieve plaques
How is aspergillosis treated?
Often referred.
Debride, then infuse 1% clotrimazole or 2% enilconazole over 1hr
What is a contraindication to treatment for aspergillosis?
Damaged cribiform plate
Most common cause of fungal rhinitis in dogs is?
Aspergillosis
Mots common cause of fungal rhinitis in cats is?
Cryptococcosis (sometimes dogs too)
What dog is most susceptible to fungal rhinitis?
Dolichocephalics
What signs do you see with Cryptococcosis in cats?
Chorioretinitis
How can you dx Cryptococcosis in cats (2 ways)?
Organisms often in nasal discharge
Serum titers reliable (Ag test, not Ab)
How do you treat Cryptococcosis?
Conazoles systematically
What are the 2 key signs of nasal mites?
Sneezing
Reverse sneezing
How do you treat nasal mites?
Ivermectin
Do you see nasal mites if the dog is on Heartworm preventative?
Nope
What is lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis?
Lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of nasal mucosa
What dogs are often affected with lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis?
Dolichocephalics
Is it likely lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis if you see destruction of nasal septum, frontal sinus or cribiform plate?
No
What would lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis look like on rhinoscopy?
Red, edematous mucosa that bleeds easily and turbinate atrophy
How do you treat lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis?
Nothing effective, avoid all smoke
Maroptiant used off label as an antiinflammatory
What are two major signs you see with nasal neoplasia?
Loss of airflow (d/t mass effect)
Facial deformity
What else can look like nasal neoplasia?
Fungal rhinitis
What 3 ways can you diagnose nasal cancer?
Nasal discharge cytology (sometimes you get lucky)
FNA of ipsilateral l.n. (sometimes you get lucky)
Rhinoscopy (not always available)
What is the last resort for diagnosing nasal cancer?
Rhinotomy
What is the treatment of choice for nasal cancer?
Radiation (survival to 12-16mos with debulking)
What is the cause of death with nasal cancer?
Airway obstruction
Why is chemotherapy not commonly used for nasal cancer?
Only effective on LSA
What 2 nasal cancers have the better prognosis?
Adenocarcinomas
Sarcomas
NOTE: after radiation
What 2 nasal cancers have the worse prognosis?
Undifferentiated carcinomas
Squamous cell carcinomas