1. Localization of disease: use history and physical examination to characterize upper vs. lower, airway vs. parenchymal vs. pleural, heart vs. lung,.
2. Respiratory diagnostics:.
General: lab work and serology, pulse oximetry, arterial blood gas analysis, ECG?.
Imaging: radiography, fluoroscopy, US and CT, transoral and transtracheal wash, respiratory endoscopy, thoracocentesis, FNA and lung biopsy, scintigraphy.
Sample analysis: nasal/airway/fluid cytology and culture.
3. Respiratory therapeutics:.
Specific drugs: antibiotics, antifungals, glucocorticoids, bronchodilators, mucolytics.
Routes of therapy: parenteral vs. enteral, nebulization, metered dose inhalers.
Adjunct therapy: coupage, nutritional management, oxygen administration, indications for ventilatory support, chest tube placement.
Disease sections below to include brief history and physical exam features specific for each disorder, relevant pathophysiology, specific diagnostic findings, treatment, prognosis..
4. Nasal disorders.
Structural: stenotic nares and brachycephalic syndrome, nasal foreign body, tooth root abscess, nasopharyngeal stenosis.
Infectious: Cryptococcosis, aspergillosis.
Inflammatory: nasopharyngeal polyps, CRS, LPR.
Neoplastic.
5. Diseases of airways.
Structural: laryngeal paralysis, tracheal collapse, bronchiectasis.
Infectious: canine upper respiratory disease complex (expand to include Bordetella and Mycoplasma bronchitis), parasitic bronchitis.
Inflammatory: chronic bronchitis, feline asthma/bronchitis.
Neoplastic.
6. Parenchymal disease.
Structural: ciliary dyskinesia, lung lobe torsion.
Infectious: pneumonia (bacterial, fungal, viral, rickettsial, protozoal).
Inflammatory: eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy, aspiration pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis.
Neoplastic.
7. Pleural and mediastinal disease.
Structural: pneumothorax, diaphragmatic hernia.
Infectious: pyothorax, FIP.
Neoplastic.
Miscellaneous: hemothorax, chylothorax.
8. Vascular disorders: pulmonary thromboembolism, heartworm disease, pulmonary hypertension