wheezing and crackles

Continuous, high-pitched, musical or whistling lung sounds produced when air flows through narrowed or partially obstructed airways

wheezing

Usually heard during expiration, but in severe airway obstruction they may also be heard during inspiration

wheezing

are continuous and longer in duration

wheezing

When the bronchi or bronchioles become narrowed due to inflammation, bronchoconstriction, mucus accumulation, or airway obstruction

wheezing

The narrowed airway causes turbulent airflow, producing the characteristic high-pitched sound during breathing

wheezing

Common causes of wheezing in Common causes of wheezing in dogs and cats include:

1. feline asthma

2. allergic airway disease

3. airway obstruction

4. respiratory infections affecting the lower airways (bronchitis, pneumonia)

2 types of wheezes

1. expiratory wheezes

2. inspiratory wheezes

Mechanism: Occur when airway narrowing becomes more pronounced during expiration due to increased intrathoracic pressure.

expiratory wheezes

Common Causes: Feline asthma, chronic bronchitis, allergic Feline asthma, chronic bronchitis, allergic airway disease.

expiratory wheezes

Mechanism: Mechanism: Occur when Occur when severe airway narrowing severe airway narrowing affects airflow during inhalation in the upper respiratory pressure.

inspiratory wheezes

Common Causes: Common Causes: Trachea collapse, Laryngeal paralysis, Trachea collapse, Laryngeal paralysis, Laryngeal edema or mass, Foreign body

inspiratory wheezes

crackles is aka

rales

Discontinuous, explosive lung sounds, short/high-pitched or longer/lower-pitched

crackles

Described as velcro, bubbling, or crushing leaves and mostly heard during inspiration, especially at the end, but may occur on expiration

crackles

usually heard in the caudal lung fields, ventral and dorsal lower lobes.

crackles

Caused by sudden reopening of collapsed alveoli from fluid, mucus, or atelectasis; indicates serious lower airway or lung disease

crackles

Fine Crackles

late inspiratory

coarse crackles

early inspiratory

Mechanism: Mechanism: Small, peripheral alveoli Small, peripheral alveoli are stiff or collapsed and open late in inspiration

fine crackles (late inspiratory)

Mechanism: Air moves through larger airways, such as the bronchi, that are airways, such as the bronchi, that are partially filled with secretions, mucus, or fluid, heard early in inspiraton

coarse crackles (early inspiratory)

common cause of fine crackles in dogs

cardiogenic pulmonary edema

common cause of coarse crackles in dogs

bronchitis

common cause fine crackles in cats

cardiogenic pulmonary edema

common cause of coarse crackles in cats

feline asthma