ANSWERS

Further information may be found in Part II - Anaesthesia & Analgesia

1. What is the correct term used to describe a nose bleed?
   Epistaxis.
2. What is the name of the fungus associated with epistaxis and mucopurulent nasal discharge?
   Aspergillus spp.
3. A client telephones the surgery for advice regarding her Labrador who is suffering from a mucoid nasal discharge. Why is it important for the veterinary surgeon to establish whether the discharge is unilateral or bilateral?
   Generally unilateral discharges are associated with fungal infections, neoplasia and trauma, whilst bilateral discharges are associated with bacterial or viral infections.
4. Sinusitis, as its name implies, describes the inflammation of the sinuses. Which are commonly affected?
   • The maxillary sinuses.
   • The frontal sinuses of the skull.
5. State the term that describes inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes.
   Rhinitis.
6. Define the following: dyspnoea, apnoea, tachypnoea, bradypnoea, hyperpnoea and orthopnoea.
   • Dyspnoea - difficulty breathing.
   • Apnoea - cessation of bleeding.
   • Tachypnoea - increased respiratory rate.
   • Bradypnoea - decreased respiratory rate.
   • Hyperpnoea - increased respiratory rate and depth.
   • Orthopnoea - difficulty breathing when in recumbency.
7. Define the following: pneumothorax, haemothorax, hydrothorax, chylothorax and pyothorax.
   • Pneumothorax - free air within the thoracic cavity.
   • Haemothorax - blood within the thoracic cavity.
   • Hydrothorax - fluid in the pleural space.
   • Chylothorax - chyle in the pleural space.
   • Pyothorax - pus within the thoracic cavity.
8. Give examples of 4 conditions which might cause pneumothorax.
   • Trauma to the thoracic wall.
   • Tracheal rupture.
   • Over-inflation of the lungs during IPPV.
   • Lung lobe torsion.
9. Describe the difference between open and closed pneumothorax.
   In open pneumothorax, air moves freely in and out of the pleural cavity through an opening in the thoracic wall. Closed pneumothorax occurs when there is physical damage to the lung, which leads to the escape of air into the pleural spaces as the animal breathes. The air cannot escape and therefore accumulates causing progressively worsening dyspnoea and eventual lung collapse.
10. What term is used to describe the accumulation of air that cannot escape in closed pneumothorax?
    Tension pneumothorax.
11. Which of the conditions listed in Q4 is most likely to result from traumatic damage to the thoracic duct or neoplasia of the mediastinum?
    Chylothorax.
12. Define the following: tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis.
    • Tonsilitis - inflammation of the tonsils (the local lymphoid tissue at the entrance to the pharynx).
    • Pharyngitis - Inflammation of the pharynx.
    • Laryngitis - Inflammation of the larynx.
    • Tracheitis - Inflammation of the trachea.
    • Bronchitis - Inflammation of the bronchi.
13. What organs are chiefly affected by pneumonia?
    The lungs.
14. List 4 possible causes of pneumonia.
    • Bacterial infection.
    • Viral infection.
    • Allergy.
    • Aspiration of gastric contents.
    • Paraquat poisoning.
15. Name the group of bacteria that cause pneumonia, and may act as opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised animals.
    Pneumocystis spp.
16. What is the term that describes inflammation of the pleural lining between the lungs and thoracic wall?
    Pleurisy.
17. List 10 possible causes of coughing.
    • Cardiac problems.
    • Neoplasia.
    • Presence of foreign body.
    • Tonsillitis.
    • Tracheal collapse.
    • Pulmonary oedema.
    • Pulmonary haemorrhage.
    • Lungworm infection.
    • Infections leading to pharyngitis, bronchitis, tracheitis and pneumonia.
    • Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS).
18. What is an alternative name for a cough suppressant?
    Antitussive.
19. List 8 clinical signs of respiratory failure.
    • Cyanosis.
    • Tachypnoea.
    • Dyspnoea.
    • Orthopnoea.
    • Tachycardia.
    • Weak pulse.
    • Assuming sitting position with abducted elbows.
    • Collapse/unconsciousness.
20. State 2 breeds of dog that are pre-disposed to laryngeal paralysis.
    • Labrador Retriever.
    • Irish Setter.
21. What is thoracocentesis?
    The placement of a thoracic drain into the chest or the use of a needle and syringe with a 3-way tap to aspirate the pleural space; is performed for diagnostic reasons and to relieve clinical signs.
22. List the types of drugs used to treat respiratory conditions.
    • Antitussants - cough suppressants.
    • Mucolytics - drugs that soften the mucus thus reducing the viscosity of the bronchial secretion in chest disorders.
    • Expectorants - drugs that promote and facilitate expectoration ( the coughing up of sputum from the air passages).
    • Antibiotics - for primary and secondary bacterial infections.
    • Bronchodilators - drugs that increase the width of the airway in the lungs by increasing the lumen, or preventing a spasm of the constricting smooth muscle.
    • Respiratory stimulants - drugs that increase the functional activity of the organs of respiration.
    • Corticosteroids - to reduce inflammation.
    • Anthelmintics - for lungworm.
23. What specific diagnostic test may be used to demonstrate the presence of Aelurostrongylus abstractus in cats?
    Zinc sulphate flotation of faeces.
24. What is the main cause of feline asthma?
    Hypersensitivity to various allergens; allergic bronchitis.
25. From what is acrolein poisoning derived?
    Hot fat fumes/smoke.
26. List the trade names of 6 drugs commonly used in small animal practice in the treatment of respiratory problems.
    • Bisolvon.
    • Corvental-D.
    • Dopram-V.
    • Millophyline-V.
    • Torbutrol.
    • Vivitonin.