Treatment Of Respiratory Illnesses

Question 1

Inhalers

Answer 1

Inhalant medication
Usually either steroids or bronchodilators
Used in conjunction with a delivery chamber called Aerocat

Question 2

When are inhalers used

Answer 2

With asthma
Less side affects that oral meds
Preferred

Question 3

How to use inhaler

Answer 3

Place mask over face
Squirt into spacer and allow cat to breathe in
Delivers drugs directly to respiratory system

Question 4

When are steroids used in inhaler

Answer 4

Daily

Anti-inflammatory affect

Question 5

When are bronchodilators used in inhalers

Answer 5

Dilates the bronchi and bronchioles which decreases resistance in the respiratory airway and increases airflow into lungs
May be used for acute attacks or daily long term meds
Less affective for cats than people

Question 6

Bronchodilators

Answer 6

Used primarily for feline asthma or for dogs with collapsing trachea
May be inhalers or pill form

Question 7

Surgery

Answer 7

Variety of surgeries of respiratory tract including repair of brachycephalic syndrome 
Tracheotomy 
Thoracotomy 
Debarking 
Tracheal repairs 
Tumor removal 
Rhinotomy 
Lobectomy

Question 8

Brachycephalic syndrome surgery

Answer 8

Stenotic nares : can open up passage
Elongated soft palate : can trim shorter
Everted sacules : can replace, remove excess tissue

Question 9

Tracheostomy surgery

Answer 9

Permanent opening into trachea 
Laryngeal paralysis 
Tumors 
Obstructions 
Burns

Question 10

Thoracotomy

Answer 10

Incision into thorax 
Tumor removal 
Collapsing trachea repair 
Heart surgery 
Not as common as laparotomy, may need to refer

Question 11

Debarking surgery

Answer 11

Vet removes small section of vocal cords 
To soften bark 
Controversial, benefits owner not dog
Most vets won't do 
Can go through mouth or throat incision

Question 12

Tracheal repairs

Answer 12

Intra or extra thoracic
Tears, damages, perforation?
Stents for collapsing trachea

Question 13

Tumor removal surgery

Answer 13

Nose, mouth, pharynx, trachea , lung, heart
Nasal tumors are more malignant
Primary lung tumors rare; metastasis to lungs very common

Question 14

Rhinotomy surgery

Answer 14

Incision into nasal passages
Rare, associated with negative survival time
Possible for fungal infections , certain cancers

Question 15

Lobectomy surgery

Answer 15

Partial or full lung lobe
Dogs/cats can live with 50% lung mass
Most commonly done with lung tumors

Question 16

Oxygen

Answer 16

Often administered to dyspneic animals directly through face mask into incubator via endotracheal tube in unconscious animal

Question 17

Nasal catheter

Answer 17

Fed into nasal passages like feeding tube

Local anesthetic, sedation, tape or stitch into place , connect to oxygen

Question 18

Air muzzle oxygen

Answer 18

Muzzle fits over face and can use oxygen line

Not common

Question 19

Resuscitators oxygen

Answer 19

Not common
May have at fire department to administer oxygen to pet
Goes over face and supplies oxygen

Question 20

Rebreathing bag

Answer 20

Can use with anesthetic machine (give pet a breath)

Ambu bag: connects to mask and machine and allows flow of oxygen

Question 21

Ventilators

Answer 21

Breathes for pet, supports lungs
Pet needs to be heavily sedated / anesthetic to work
Very expensive
May not improve enough to live without ventilator
May use in thoracic surgeries (need to breathe for pet, no pressure)

Question 22

Steam

Answer 22

Vaporizers , steam from hot showers,

May loosen secretions and aid in breathing

Question 23

What can steam do to medications

Answer 23

Aerolizes medication
Bronchodilators, steroids, anti biotics
Makes into mist to get into lungs directly
Can also do with saline to increase moisture in lungs

Question 24

Coupage

Answer 24

Pat/rub chest to help loosen secretions and cough up

Question 25

Diuretics

Answer 25

If dyspnea is related to pulmonary edema, diuretics are drug of choice

Question 26

What should owner be aware of when using diuretics?

Answer 26

Pet will have polyuria
Diuretics must be closely monitored
Needs to eat/drink normally.. don’t restrict water

Question 27

When are diuretics usually used

Answer 27

CHF to remove excess fluid

Question 28

How are diuretics given

Answer 28

Tablet or water pill