Kvet Forum
Well-known member
Acute respiratory distress is a true respiratory emergency and has many possible causes.
They include:
- Airway obstruction e.g. by a foreign body such as a ball.
- Trauma, e.g. road traffic accident.
- Infections of the lungs.
- Laryngeal paralysis.
- Poisoning.
- Neoplasia.
- Overdose of anaesthetic.
- Pneumonia.
Signs and Symptoms
- Extreme difficulty breathing
- Coughing
- Crackling noise during breathing
- Fever
- Nasal discharge
- Blue-gray colored gums (cyanosis)
Treatment
- A patent airway must be maintained in order that air can pass through the trachea to the lungs
- The use of suction will remove secretions such as haemorrhage or excess saliva
- Intubation will maintain an open and clear airway in the unconscious patient
- Placement of a tracheotomy tube is a semi-permanent solution to maintain a patent airway
- Oxygen therapy will ensure that air reaching the alveoli is rich in oxygen and thus aid oxygen exchange. Oxygen may be administered in several ways – select the method that is readily available and is most easily tolerated by the patient.