Topic 8 - Describe the examination findings of the upper airways in the cat!

Question 1

What is part of the upper airways?

Answer 1

Trachea to nose

Question 2

Name the different parts included in the upper airways:

Answer 2

1. Nose
2. Paranasal sinuses
3. Larynx
4. Pharynx
5. Trachea
6. Palate
7. nasopharynx
8. oropharynx

Coughing is also included

Question 3

Which parameters to check in the nose?

Answer 3

1. Nasal plane, nasal openings and nostrils
2. Nasal discharge
3. Breath
4. Respiratory sounds of the nostrils
5. Look at shape and form of the nose

Question 4

Normal breath:

Answer 4

1. Symmetrical from both nostrils
2. Check strenght
3. Check smell (should be none)
4. Temperature

Question 5

Normal nasal discharge:

Answer 5

should be none

Question 6

If nasal discharge is present, what to check?

Answer 6

1. Amount
2. Consistency
3. Smell
4. From one or both nostrils

Question 7

Normal nasal plane:

Answer 7

1. Moist
2. Intact
3. Pigmented

Question 8

Normal respiratory sounds from the nostrils:

Answer 8

no sounds

If sounds = stridor

Question 9

Name the different stridor types:

Answer 9

1. Nasal
2. Pharyngeal
3. Laryngeal
   (4. Collapsed trachea)

Question 10

Sound of nasal stridor:

Answer 10

Sniffing

Question 11

Sound of pharyngeal stridor:

Answer 11

Snoring

Question 12

Sound of laryngeal stridor:

Answer 12

Sawing

Question 13

Sound of collapsed trachea:

Answer 13

Tooting on expiration

Question 14

Which obstruction will give a mixed stridor?

Answer 14

Narrow trachea/bronchitis

Question 15

Which obstruction will give inspiratory stridor?

Answer 15

Paralysis of larynx

Question 16

How to examine palate and nasopharynx?

Answer 16

Open mouth, use mirror to examine properly at the caudal part of the mouth

Question 17

What is the oropharynx?

Answer 17

this is where the respiratory and digestive tracts cross

Question 18

How to examine the paranasal sinsuses?

Answer 18

With percussion

Question 19

Name the different paranasal sinuses:

Answer 19

1. Maxillary (more a maxillary recess)
2. Frontal

Question 20

Where can we find the sinuses?

Answer 20

Question 21

How to test coughing?

Answer 21

1. Press the tracheal rings

Question 22

Different types of coughing:

Answer 22

1. Medium held
2. Medium intensive
3. Medium deep
4. unsnapping
5. dry
6. painless
7. Does no reoccur

Question 23

How to inspect the larynx and pharynx?

Answer 23

Only external examination

1. Inspection
2. Palpation
3. Auscultation

Question 24

normal larynx and pharynx upon inspection:

Answer 24

no swelling, no deformity and intact surface

Question 25

normal larynx and pharynx upon palpation:

Answer 25

not painful, temperature is the same as the surroundings, no abnormal masses

Question 26

normal larynx and pharynx upon ausculation:

Answer 26

Normal weak stridor during inspiration and expiration

Question 27

Can we do internal examination of larynx and pharynx?

Answer 27

Yes, but only under sedation - and is done with a laryngoscopy

Question 28

Difference between dog and cat regarding the nasopharynx:

Answer 28

The nasopharynx in cat cannot be examined without sedation, because we cannot pull out the tongue in cat