Emergency Care of the Patient with Acute Respiratory Distress

Introduction, initial assessment and stabilization

Respiratory distress in small animal patients is a true emergency which requires rapid stabilization, prompt recognition and treatment of the underlying problem, determination of diagnostic and therapeutic options, and an assessment of prognosis. The first steps in the management of the dyspneic patient include recognizing that the respiratory system is compromised, performing a physical examination, providing supplemental oxygen, and obtaining a brief but focused history from the owner. [...] 

Key Points

• Respiratory distress is a common presenting sign for small animals, especially in emergency clinics
• Recognizing common respiratory patterns and routine breed- and age-related problems can help to narrow the list of differential diagnoses
• Emergency management is facilitated by identifying the anatomic location of the problem
• Supplemental oxygen and efforts to minimize handling and stress are imperative for these patients
• Thoracic radiographs, pulse oximetry and blood gas analysis are the most commonly utilized emergency diagnostic tests for respiratory disease
• Emergency clinicians should be familiar with life- saving interventions such as endotracheal intubation, thoracocentesis, and thoracostomy tube placement