Respiratory Diagnostics
General Laboratory Testing Basic blood work (complete blood count and biochemical panel) are often performed during the workup of a respiratory patient and may help support the presence of an…
Nasal Disorders
Structural Diseases Stenotic Nares and Brachycephalic Syndrome Pathophysiology Brachycephalic airway syndrome (BAS) is a congenital disorder resulting from primary conformational defects (stenotic nares or an elongated soft palate), which obstruct…
Diseases of Airways
Structural Disorders Laryngeal Paralysis Pathophysiology In normal animals, the dorsal cricoarytenoideus muscles contract to abduct the corniculate processes of the arytenoids during inspiration. This muscle is innervated by the recurrent…
Parenchymal Disease
Structural Diseases Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Pathophysiology Normal cilia are made up of nine pairs of microtubules surrounding a central pair. Inner and outer dynein arms connect the microtubules, and the…
Pleural and Mediastinal Disease
Structural Disorders Pneumothorax Pathophysiology Entrance of air into the pleural cavity results in positive intrapleural pressure that causes collapse of the lungs with a subsequent drop in venous return and…
Respiratory Therapeutics
Drug Therapy Antibiotics for Upper Respiratory Tract Disease Empiric antibiotic therapy is often used in animals with presumed respiratory infection prior to obtaining definitive information on the bacteria involved because…
Vascular Disorders
Structural Disorders Pulmonary Thromboembolism Pathophysiology Systemic diseases that result in stasis of blood flow, hypercoagulability, and disruption of the endothelial layer of the vascular bed can result in the secondary…
Localization of Disease
Nasal Discharge History Nasal discharge is almost always a sign of local disease within the nasal cavity. One exception is eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy, an inflammatory condition of the lung and airways…
