Breath sounds in small animals

CLASSIFICATION OF BREATH SOUNDS

Normal

  • Vesicular - rustling over periphery. Inspiratory / Expiratory
  • Bronchial - harsher, over trachea and anterior chest.

Abnormal/Adventitious

  • Crackling - fluid accumulation or fibrosis
  • Wheeze - mostly during exp. high pitch
  • Ronchi - low pitch. Stridor - Insp. wheeze
  • Pleural friction rub - creaky leather sound

CLINICAL RESPIRATORY SIGNS VERSUS ANATOMIC LOCATION

  • Pharynx : Salivation, gaging, retching, stridor
  • Nasal Cavity : Discharge, snorting, sneezing N. rubbing
  • Larynx : Gagging, dyspnea, stridor, occasional cough
  • Trachea : Harsh, resonant cough followed by gag
  • Bronchi/Bronchioles : Cough followed by gag
  • Alveoli : Tachypnea, dyspnea, cough-yes/no
  • Pleural Effusion : Tachypnea, dyspnea.
Last modified: Tuesday, 5 June 2012, 11:59 AM