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Respiratory System

Respiratory System Introduction
Aspiration Pneumonia
- Overview of Aspiration Pneumonia
Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Overview of Diaphragmatic Hernia
Laryngeal Disorders
- Overview of Laryngeal Disorders
- Laryngeal Paralysis
Lungworm Infection
- Overview of Lungworm Infection
Mycotic Pneumonia
- Overview of Mycotic Pneumonia
Pharyngitis
- Overview of Pharyngitis
- Pharyngeal Trauma

Pulmonary Emphysema
- Overview of Pulmonary Emphysema
Respiratory Diseases of Cattle
Respiratory Diseases of Horses
Respiratory Diseases of Pigs
Respiratory Diseases of Sheep and Goats
Respiratory Diseases of Small Animals

The respiratory system performs several functions. Most importantly, it delivers oxygen to the cardiovascular system for distribution to the body and it removes carbon dioxide. In addition to gas exchange, the respiratory system performs numerous other functions, including maintaining acid-base balance, acting as a blood reservoir, filtering and probably destroying emboli, and metabolizing some bioactive substances and activating others.

Respiratory SystemSections (A-Z)

Aspiration Pneumonia

Aspiration pneumonia is a pulmonary infection characterized by inflammation and necrosis due to inhalation of foreign material. The severity of the inflammatory response depends on the material aspirated, the type of bacteria aspirated, and the distribution of aspirated material in the lungs.

Overview of Aspiration Pneumonia

Diaphragmatic Hernia

A break in the continuity of the diaphragm allows protrusion of abdominal viscera into the thorax.

Overview of Diaphragmatic Hernia

Laryngeal Disorders

Also see Laryngeal Hemiplegia in Horses .

Overview of Laryngeal Disorders
Laryngeal Paralysis

Lungworm Infection

An infection of the lower respiratory tract, usually resulting in bronchitis or pneumonia, can be caused by any of several parasitic nematodes, including Dictyocaulus viviparus in cattle, llamas, and alpacas; D filaria in goats, sheep, llamas, and alpacas; D eckerti in deer; D arnfieldi in donkeys and horses; Protostrongylus rufescens and Muellerius capillaris in sheep and goats; Metastrongylus apri , M pudendotectus , and M salmi in pigs; Oslerus osleri , Crenosoma vulpis , and Eucoleus aerophilus in dogs; and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and E aerophilus in cats. Other lungworm infections occur but are less common.

Overview of Lungworm Infection

Mycotic Pneumonia

Fungal infection of the lung may result in an acute to chronic active, pyogranulomatous pneumonia.

Overview of Mycotic Pneumonia

Pharyngitis

Pharyngitis is an inflammatory condition of the walls of the oro- or nasopharynx. Pharyngitis may develop secondary to viral or bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract, eg, strangles in horses and distemper in dogs.

Overview of Pharyngitis
Pharyngeal Trauma

Pulmonary Emphysema

Two major forms of pulmonary emphysema are generally recognized. Alveolar emphysema is abnormal permanent enlargement of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchiole and destruction of alveolar septal walls without apparent fibrosis. Interstitial emphysema is the presence of air within the supporting connective tissue stroma of the lung (interlobular, subpleural, mediastinal, subcutaneous).

Overview of Pulmonary Emphysema

Respiratory Diseases of Cattle

Respiratory disease is among the most economically important diseases of cattle in production on a worldwide basis.

Overview of Respiratory Diseases of Cattle
Allergic Rhinitis and Enzootic Nasal Granuloma in Cattle
Sinusitis in Cattle
Necrotic Laryngitis in Cattle
Tracheal Edema Syndrome of Feeder Cattle
Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex
Enzootic Pneumonia of Calves and Shipping Fever Pneumonia
Viral Respiratory Tract Infections in Cattle
Bacterial Pneumonia in Cattle
Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia
Interstitial Pneumonia in Cattle
Acute Bovine Pulmonary Emphysema and Edema
Anaphylaxis in Cattle
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis in Cattle
Diffuse Fibrosing Alveolitis in Cattle
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome of Feedlot Cattle
4-Ipomeanol Toxicity (Moldy Sweet Potato) and Perilla Ketone Toxicity (Purple Mint Toxicity) in Cattle
Toxic Gases in Respiratory Disease of Cattle
Vena Caval Thrombosis and Metastatic Pneumonia in Cattle

Respiratory Diseases of Horses

Viral respiratory infections are common in horses; the most notable are equine herpesvirus infection, equine influenza, and equine viral arteritis. The clinical manifestations are similar and include pyrexia, serous nasal discharge, submandibular lymphadenopathy, anorexia, and cough. In addition to respiratory disease, equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) can cause abortion and neurologic disease, and equine herpesvirus type 5 (EHV-5) is a newly recognized cause of multinodular pulmonary fibrosis. Equine viral arteritis produces respiratory disease, vasculitis, and abortion. Equine herpesvirus type 2 (EHV-2), equine rhinitis virus, and reovirus are ubiquitous viral respiratory pathogens, and infection results in minimal clinical disease. Adenovirus pneumonia is most often seen in association with severe combined immunodeficiency in Arabian foals. Hendra virus (see Hendra Virus Infection ) is a zoonotic disease of horses identified in Australia; it is rapidly fatal in horses, and close contact is necessary for disease transmission.

Overview of Respiratory Diseases of Horses
Equine Herpesvirus Infection
Equine Influenza
Equine Viral Arteritis
Hendra Virus Infection in Horses
Pleuropneumonia in Horses
Rhodococcus equi Pneumonia in Foals
Acute Bronchointerstitial Pneumonia in Foals
Strangles in Horses
Recurrent Airway Obstruction in Horses
Inflammatory Airway Disease in Horses
Exercise-induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Horses
Laryngeal Hemiplegia in Horses
Pharyngeal Lymphoid Hyperplasia in Horses
Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate in Horses
Epiglottic Entrapment in Horses
Subepiglottic Cyst in Horses
Fourth Branchial Arch Defect in Horses
Diseases of the Nasal Passages in Horses
Diseases of the Paranasal Sinuses in Horses
Guttural Pouch Disease in Horses

Respiratory Diseases of Pigs

Respiratory diseases of pigs can be classified into two broad categories based on the extent and duration of overt disease: those that affect large numbers of pigs and may be serious but of limited duration, and those that persist in a large number of pigs for indefinite periods. Diseases in the first category can be costly, but the losses are limited rather than ongoing. They include swine influenza (see Swine Influenza ), classical swine fever (see Classical Swine Fever ), the pneumonic forms of pseudorabies (see Pseudorabies ), porcine circovirus-associated disease (see Porcine Circovirus Diseases ), and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (see Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome ). The causal viruses may persist in a herd, but outbreaks of overt disease tend to be self-limiting.

Overview of Respiratory Diseases of Pigs
Atrophic Rhinitis in Pigs
Mycoplasmal Pneumonia in Pigs
Necrotic Rhinitis in Pigs
Pasteurellosis in Pigs
Pleuropneumonia in Pigs
Swine Influenza

Respiratory Diseases of Sheep and Goats

The sheep nose bot fly, Oestrus ovis , is a cosmopolitan parasite that, in its larval stages, inhabits the nasal passages and sinuses of sheep and goats. Its geographic distribution is worldwide.

Overview of Respiratory Diseases of Sheep and Goats
Sheep Nose Bot
Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia
Pasteurella and Mannheimia Pneumonias in Sheep and Goats
Progressive Pneumonia in Sheep and Goats
Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma

Respiratory Diseases of Small Animals

Respiratory diseases are common in dogs and cats. Although clinical signs such as coughing and dyspnea are commonly referable to primary problems of the respiratory tract, they may also occur secondary to disorders of other organ systems (eg, congestive heart failure).

Overview of Respiratory Diseases of Small Animals
Allergic Pneumonitis in Small Animals
Canine Influenze (Flu)
Canine Nasal Mites
Feline Respiratory Disease Complex
Lung Flukes in Small Animals
Lung Nematodes in Small Animals
Neoplasia of the Respiratory System in Small Animals
Pneumonia in Small Animals
Pulmonary Thromboembolism in Small Animals
Rhinitis and Sinusitis in Small Animals
Tonsillitis in Small Animals
Tracheobronchitis in Small Animals

Respiratory System Introduction

The respiratory system performs several functions. Most importantly, it delivers oxygen to the cardiovascular system for distribution to the body and it removes carbon dioxide. Gas transfer occurs in the alveoli of the lungs, where the air-blood barrier is a thin, permeable membrane. Failure or major dysfunction of gas transfer due to disease processes that compromise this membrane or its air or blood supply have serious effects. In addition to gas exchange, the respiratory system performs numerous other functions, including maintaining acid-base balance, acting as a blood reservoir, filtering and probably destroying emboli, metabolizing some bioactive substances (eg, serotonin, prostaglandins, corticosteroids, and leukotrienes), and activating some substances (eg, angiotensin). The respiratory system also protects its own delicate airways by warming and humidifying inhaled air and by filtering out particulate material. The upper airways also provide for the sense of smell (olfaction) and play a role in temperature regulation in panting animals.

Overview of the Respiratory System
Clinical Signs of Respiratory Malfunction
Causes of Respiratory Malfunction
Diagnostic Techniques
Control of Respiratory Disease
Principles of Therapy of Respiratory Disease

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Also of Interest

Test your knowledge

An obese, 13-year-old, neutered male Pomeranian is brought to the veterinarian because of a cough that has worsened over the last 3 to 4 months. His owner reports that the cough sounds like a “goose honk,” occurs when the dog is excited (e.g., when the doorbell rings), and is unproductive of sputum. The dog then appears to have trouble breathing after coughing. On physical examination, auscultation of the heart and lungs is normal, and the veterinarian is unable to stimulate the cough. The owner declines thoracic x-rays due to financial concerns. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Canine influenza Congestive heart failure Infectious tracheobronchitis Tracheal collapse

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Respiratory System

Respiratory System Introduction

Aspiration Pneumonia

Diaphragmatic Hernia

Laryngeal Disorders

Lungworm Infection

Mycotic Pneumonia

Pharyngitis

Pulmonary Emphysema

Respiratory Diseases of Cattle

Respiratory Diseases of Horses

Respiratory Diseases of Pigs

Respiratory Diseases of Sheep and Goats

Respiratory Diseases of Small Animals

Respiratory SystemSections (A-Z)

Aspiration Pneumonia

Diaphragmatic Hernia

Laryngeal Disorders

Lungworm Infection

Mycotic Pneumonia

Pharyngitis

Pulmonary Emphysema

Respiratory Diseases of Cattle

Respiratory Diseases of Horses

Respiratory Diseases of Pigs

Respiratory Diseases of Sheep and Goats

Respiratory Diseases of Small Animals

Respiratory System Introduction