Treatment Of Respiratory Illnesses Flashcards
Inhalers
Inhalant medication
Usually either steroids or bronchodilators
Used in conjunction with a delivery chamber called Aerocat
When are inhalers used
With asthma
Less side affects that oral meds
Preferred
How to use inhaler
Place mask over face
Squirt into spacer and allow cat to breathe in
Delivers drugs directly to respiratory system
When are steroids used in inhaler
Daily
Anti-inflammatory affect
When are bronchodilators used in inhalers
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
Bronchodilators
Used primarily for feline asthma or for dogs with collapsing trachea
May be inhalers or pill form
Surgery
Variety of surgeries of respiratory tract including repair of brachycephalic syndrome Tracheotomy Thoracotomy Debarking Tracheal repairs Tumor removal Rhinotomy Lobectomy
Brachycephalic syndrome surgery
Stenotic nares : can open up passage
Elongated soft palate : can trim shorter
Everted sacules : can replace, remove excess tissue
Tracheostomy surgery
Permanent opening into trachea Laryngeal paralysis Tumors Obstructions Burns
Thoracotomy
Incision into thorax Tumor removal Collapsing trachea repair Heart surgery Not as common as laparotomy, may need to refer
Debarking surgery
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
Tracheal repairs
Intra or extra thoracic
Tears, damages, perforation?
Stents for collapsing trachea
Tumor removal surgery
Nose, mouth, pharynx, trachea , lung, heart
Nasal tumors are more malignant
Primary lung tumors rare; metastasis to lungs very common
Rhinotomy surgery
Incision into nasal passages
Rare, associated with negative survival time
Possible for fungal infections , certain cancers
Lobectomy surgery
Partial or full lung lobe
Dogs/cats can live with 50% lung mass
Most commonly done with lung tumors
Oxygen
Often administered to dyspneic animals directly through face mask into incubator via endotracheal tube in unconscious animal
Nasal catheter
Fed into nasal passages like feeding tube
Local anesthetic, sedation, tape or stitch into place , connect to oxygen
Air muzzle oxygen
Muzzle fits over face and can use oxygen line
Not common
Resuscitators oxygen
Not common
May have at fire department to administer oxygen to pet
Goes over face and supplies oxygen
Rebreathing bag
Can use with anesthetic machine (give pet a breath)
Ambu bag: connects to mask and machine and allows flow of oxygen
Ventilators
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)
Steam
Vaporizers , steam from hot showers,
May loosen secretions and aid in breathing
What can steam do to medications
Aerolizes medication
Bronchodilators, steroids, anti biotics
Makes into mist to get into lungs directly
Can also do with saline to increase moisture in lungs
Coupage
Pat/rub chest to help loosen secretions and cough up
Diuretics
If dyspnea is related to pulmonary edema, diuretics are drug of choice
What should owner be aware of when using diuretics?
Pet will have polyuria
Diuretics must be closely monitored
Needs to eat/drink normally.. don’t restrict water
When are diuretics usually used
CHF to remove excess fluid
How are diuretics given
Tablet or water pill
