Small Animal Respiratory Diseases: Asthma, Bronchitis, and Pneumonia

What are common causes of asthma and bronchitis in small animals?

Allergic reactions, bacterial infections, parasites, and inhaled irritants.

What are some signs of asthma in small animals?

Open mouth breathing, coughing, wheezing, gagging, sneezing, dyspnea, vomiting, and lethargy.

What physical exam findings may indicate respiratory distress in small animals?

Tracheal sensitivity, tachypnea, cyanosis, respiratory crackles, and tachy/bradycardia.

What diagnostic tests are used for asthma and bronchitis?

Heartworm tests, Baerman fecal test for respiratory parasites, radiographs, bronchoscopy, and transtracheal/bronchial washing.

What might radiographs show in cases of airway inflammation?

Signs of diffuse prominent bronchial markings, often described as 'doughnuts'.

What are some symptomatic treatments for asthma and bronchitis?

Oxygen therapy, antihelmintics, antibiotics, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and antihistamines like cyproheptadine.

What home care measures should be taken for pets with respiratory diseases?

Avoid stress, monitor clinical signs, and avoid perfumes/inhalation irritants.

What is a transoral tracheal wash?

A procedure where a small volume of sterile fluid is instilled into the airways and then aspirated for analysis, typically performed under light anesthesia.

What is the purpose of a transtracheal wash?

To collect samples from the trachea for diagnostic analysis.

What are potential complications of a transtracheal wash?

Leakage of fluid from the site, subcutaneous emphysema, coughing, or unusual bleeding.

What is brachycephalic airway syndrome?

A congenital condition where obstructive airways occur due to the soft palate overlapping the tip of the epiglottis.

What are common signs of brachycephalic airway syndrome?

Coughing, gagging, strenuous panting, open mouth breathing, dyspnea, tachypnea, and exercise intolerance.

What physical exam findings may indicate brachycephalic airway syndrome?

Stertor, stridor, enlarged tonsils, and elongated soft palate.

What laboratory tests are used to assess brachycephalic airway syndrome?

Blood gas analysis and radiographs of the thoracic and pharyngeal areas.

What surgical options are available for treating brachycephalic airway syndrome?

Laryngeal sacculectomy and shortening of the elongated soft palate.

What is the role of pulse oximetry in managing respiratory diseases?

To monitor oxygen saturation levels in the blood.

What is the significance of laryngoscopy and pharyngoscopy in respiratory assessment?

These procedures allow for direct visualization of the airways to identify obstructions or abnormalities.

What is the typical response of a pet after a transtracheal wash?

It is common for the patient to cough after the procedure, but this is usually transient.

What should be monitored after performing a transtracheal wash?

Coughing or bleeding from the site, as severe symptoms may indicate complications.

What is a nasal wedge used for?

To fix stenotic nares.

What should be monitored postoperatively to prevent airway collapse?

Airway collapse.

What are some home care recommendations for pets with respiratory issues?

Monitor for aspiration while eating, limit exercise especially in heat, and ensure they do not overheat.

What is an elongated soft palate?

A condition that can cause respiratory issues in pets.

What is bronchitis?

A progressive condition leading to permanent damage, caused by various factors including infections and irritants.

What are common signs of bronchitis in pets?

Cachexia, coughing, dyspnea, gagging, open mouth breathing, shortness of breath, tachypnea, wheezing, and exercise intolerance.

What are some nursing care treatments for bronchitis?

Oxygen therapy, antibiotics, antitussives, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and nebulization.

What is pneumonia?

An inflammatory response of the lungs caused by bacteria, aspiration, fungi, allergies, viruses, neoplasia, or parasites.

What are the signs of pneumonia in pets?

Cachexia, dyspnea, mucopurulent nasal discharge, productive cough, tachypnea, and wheezes.

What supportive care is recommended for pneumonia?

Fluid treatment, oxygen therapy, antibiotics, antifungals, bronchodilators, and nebulization with coupage.

What is tracheal collapse?

A condition characterized by the weakening of the tracheal rings leading to airway obstruction.

What are the signs of tracheal collapse?

Cyanosis, enlarged tonsils, dyspnea, gagging, heat intolerance, intermittent 'honking' cough, and syncope.

What are common treatments for tracheal collapse?

Surgery, antitussives, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and intensive monitoring.

What is pleural effusion?

The accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity, which can be unilateral or bilateral.

What are the signs of pleural effusion?

Dyspnea, exercise intolerance, pallor, pleuritis, open mouth breathing, and tachypnea.

What is pneumothorax?

An abnormal accumulation of air in the pleural space.

What is the difference between open and closed pneumothorax?

Open pneumothorax occurs with a penetrating chest wound, while closed pneumothorax occurs without external air entering.

What is tension pneumothorax?

A condition where air fills the chest cavity with each breath and is not allowed to exit.

What is chylothorax?

A buildup of lymphatic fluid in the thoracic cavity due to interrupted lymphatic drainage.

What are the treatment options for chylothorax?

Drainage of fluid, low-fat diet, rutin supplementation, and surgical management.

What is pyothorax?

A pus-filled pleural space, often resulting from bite wounds or foreign body infiltration.

What are the common nursing interventions for pyothorax?

Drainage and culture of fluid, fever control, and intravenous antibiotic administration.

What is the prognosis for pleural effusion?

Prognosis is guarded to poor depending on the underlying cause.

What is the role of a nebulizer in respiratory care?

To deliver medication directly to the lungs and help expel sputum.

What is a traumatic pneumothorax?

A pneumothorax resulting from traumatic injury to the chest.

What are the signs of a traumatic pneumothorax?

Increased respiratory rate (more than 45 breaths per minute), labored breathing, cyanotic gums or tongue, intolerance to exercise.

What diagnostic tools are used for pneumothorax?

Chest radiographs, arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, CBC/serum chem.

What are the nursing interventions for pneumothorax?

Oxygen therapy, thoracocentesis, chest tube placement, thoracic surgery, continued monitoring of respiration.

What is hemothorax?

Blood within the pleural space, which can occur due to chest trauma, tumors, or coagulopathies.

What are the signs of hemothorax?

Difficulty breathing, increased panting, weakness, collapse, pale mucous membranes.

What laboratory tests are used for hemothorax?

Thoracic radiographs, thoracentesis, CBC/chem, arterial blood gas analysis, thoracic or cardiac ultrasound, clotting tests.

What are the nursing interventions for hemothorax?

Thoracentesis, chest tube placement, blood transfusions, oxygen therapy, analgesics, vitamin K therapy.

What is DIC?

A cascade of events leading to abnormal activation of blood clotting products, occurring secondary to diseases causing inappropriate coagulation responses.

What are the signs of DIC?

Lethargy, weakness, pale mucous membranes or icterus, bruising, pinpoint hemorrhages, bleeding from any orifice, rapid breathing, fast heart rate.

What diagnostics are used for DIC?

CBC/blood smear, clotting times, serum fibrinogen concentration, PCV, reticulocyte count, serum chem, urinalysis, abdominal radiographs, abdominal ultrasound.

What are the nursing interventions for DIC?

Identification and aggressive treatment of the underlying condition, fluid therapy, heparin drip, fresh frozen plasma, blood transfusions.

What is rodenticide poisoning?

Accidental ingestion of rat poison, most commonly anticoagulants that interfere with vitamin K synthesis.

What are the signs of rodenticide poisoning?

Depression, anorexia, weakness, ataxia, melena, epistaxis, hemoptysis, hematuria.

What are the nursing interventions for rodenticide poisoning?

Gastric evacuation, administration of activated charcoal, vitamin K1 (antidote), plasma and/or whole blood.

How should vitamin K1 be administered for rodenticide poisoning?

Subcutaneously with a small gauge needle to prevent hemorrhage; do not give IV due to risk of anaphylaxis.

What is the home care for rodenticide poisoning?

Oral vitamin K1 BID for 4 weeks, given with fatty food to increase bioavailability, and recheck coagulation profiles weekly.