DIAGNÓSTICO POR IMÁGENES PARA PERROS Y GATOS CON TOS Y DISNEA. PARTE I & II.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
1. Chest radiography is generally the most useful single test to assess the coughing patient
2. A multimodal diagnostic approach is often required to provide a comprehensive evaluation.
3. Because respiratory distress has a myriad of causes, accurate diagnosis requires a systematic approach to evaluate the cardiorespiratory system, from the nares through the pharynx, large and small airways, lungs, interstitium, pleural space, pulmonary vasculature, and thoracic cavity. Clinical pathology, ECG, biomarkers, and other ancillary tests may provide useful information.

COUGHING
1. The cough results from sudden expiratory effort with noise coincident with expulsion of air. A number of factors can initiate the cough reflex throughout the upper and lower respiratory system (pharynx, larynx, tracheobronchial tree, and small airways).
2. Coughing may be occasional and of no clinical significance; in other cases coughing affects quality of life (to the animal and the owner), or is a harbinger of serious underlying disease.
3. Most coughs sound alike. More than one etiology may coexist.
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