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SIGNS OF RESPIRATORY DISEASES IN SMALL ANIMALS
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Cardinal Signs of Respiratory Diseases
- Cough, Hemoptysis
- Dyspnea, Cyanosis
- Abnormal Secretions
- Noisy Breathing, Tachypnea
- Sneezing, Wheezing
- Change in voice, body posture
Nonspecific Systemic Signs
- Fever, anorexia, fatigue
- Lethargy, weight loss
- Others
Cough
- Sudden forced Expiration after deep Insp. on closed epiglottis
- Protective reflex. Clears Tracheo-bronchial Tree.
- Afferent arm: from irritated mucosa of Pharynx (glossopharyngeal N) Larynx, Trachea, Bronchi, pleura (Vagus) cough centre in Medulla Oblongata.
- Efferent Arm through sympathetic trunk & cervico-thoracic motor nerve to intrinisic and accessory muscles of respiration.
Etiology of Cough
- Inflammation - Pharyngitis, Bronchiectasis
- C.V. disorder - L. Heart failure
- Trauma, Physical Agents - Foreign body, Smoke
- Neoplasia - Primary or secondary
- Allergic disorders - Bronchial Asthma
- Parasitism - Larva Migration, D. Immitis - Filaroides, Paragonimus
Cough - Potential Harmful Effects
- Dissemination of Infection.
- Rupture of Lung Abscess
- Rupture of Pleural Adhesions.
- General Weakness, Malaise, Fatigue
Clinical Signs - Upper Respiratory Diseases
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Nasal Discharge
- Facial Swelling
- Stertorous breathing
- Voice Change
- Inspiratory dyspnea
- Loud upper Resp. Sounds
Clinical Signs - Lower Respiratory Diseases
- Cough, Nasal discharge
- Inspiratory / Expiratory dyspnea
- Hyperpnea
- Abnormal Lung Sounds
- Rapid shallow respiration
Sneezing
- Forced expiration after deep inspiration on open epiglottis.
- Rids the nasal passages of irritants
- Occasional sneezing is normal, esp. in Hairy faced breeds. eg. Lhasa,
- Prolonged episodes - F.B. allergy, viral diseases.
- Bleeding & discharge - Trauma, Destructive Lesion
Nasal Discharge
- Serous - Mucoid Viral Diseases, Allergy, irritants
- Purulent - Chronic Infections
- Mixed with Blood - destructive Lesion
- Unilateral - Sudden - Foreign Bodies.
- Insidious - Tumor, Fungal
Stertorous Breathing
- Obstruction
- Nasal & Pharyngeal Disease
- Inspiratory Wheezing-Laryngeal or URD.
- Honking/Rattling - Tracheal Collapse
Abnormal Secretions - Tracheobrochial Tree
- Mostly Swallowed
- Vomited out following coughing as mucoid watery material
- Purulent sputum - Pneumonia, bronchiectasis
- Hemoptysis - Thoracic trauma, Diroflariasis, Pulmonary edema, Lung tumors, Lung worms F.B.
Dysepena Labored or difficult breathing
- Severe signs - Respire with open mouth, cyanosis, pallor or injection of mucosa
- Main causes
- Stimulus for ventilation e.g. Hypoxemia, Acidemia, Fever.
- Ventilatory Capacity e.g. Resistance to airflow, Weak Respiration
Causes of Dyspnea
- Obstruction of air passages - Inflammatory.
- Restrictive Lung volume – Diseases like Diaphragmatic Hernia (DH).
- Primary Diseases of Lungs - Emphysema
- C.V. and anemic disorders - Anemia
- Nervous Emotional disorders - Fear
- Metabolic disorders - Acidosis, hepatic coma.
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