Respiratory Emergencies

C.M. Elwood MA VetMB CertSAC MSc PhD MRCVS DACVIM DECVIM
Davies Veterinary Specialists

Definition of a respiratory emergency

A respiratory emergency may be considered when an animal is unable or at risk of being unable to maintain effective oxygenation through dysfunction of transfer of oxygen to haemoglobin. Clinical signs indicative of serious problems include dyspnoea and tachypnoea, cyanosis, air hunger, obtundation, mental depression, worsening dyspnoea upon any stimulus/stress and recruitment of secondary muscles of respiration.

Diagnostic approach

History and clinical examination
A history and physical examination, with particular attention to breathing pattern (inspiratory vs. expiratory), breathing effort, presence of stridor, cyanosis (usually indicative of haemoglobin saturation <70%), thoracic percussion and auscultation may be sufficient to direct initial emergency therapy (e.g. GA and intubation/tracheostomy in suspected laryngeal paralysis, thoracocentesis in pneumothorax post-RTA)