Respiratory Disease Diagnostics 2024-25 PDF

APPROACH TO R E S P I R ATO RY D I S E A S E 2 DIAGNOSTICS KIRSTY MCGINLEY FHEA MRCVS LECTURER IN VETERINARY CLINICAL SCIENCES LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1. Apply foundation anatomical and physiological knowledge as it relates to the clinical evaluation of the...

APPROACH TO R E S P I R ATO RY D I S E A S E 2 DIAGNOSTICS KIRSTY MCGINLEY FHEA MRCVS LECTURER IN VETERINARY CLINICAL SCIENCES LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1. Apply foundation anatomical and physiological knowledge as it relates to the clinical evaluation of the respiratory system. 2. Detail a complete clinical assessment of the respiratory system. 3. Differentiate between disorders of the upper and lower respiratory tract based on clinical presentation. 4. Understand the range of diagnostic modalities available, and the rationale for their selection in the investigation of disorders of the respiratory system. S P E C I E S C O N S I D E R AT I O N S DIAGNOSTICS DIAGNOSTICS: RADIOGRAPHY Useful for imaging both URT and LRT. DIAGNOSTICS: RADIOGRAPHY LRT mostly small animals. Large animal thoracic radiography usually reserved for larger practices/referral. D I A G N O S T I C S : U LT R A S O N O G R A P H Y Mostly think of in terms of assess cardiac function. BUT excellent for assessing: Pleural Space. Pleural effusion. Diseased lung tissue. Quick and ideal where sedation or GA contraindicated.  DIAGNOSTICS: ENDOSCOPY Especially useful in horses for assessing URT. Nasal meati. Nasopharynx. Ethmoid turbinates. Nasomaxillary opening. Guttural Pouches. Trachea. Used in racehorses to assess poor performance (Recurrent Laryngeal neuropathy, EIPH). DIAGNOSTICS: ENDOSCOPY Restricted access to URT in small animals esp nasal chambers so more for LRT assessment. Rhinoscopy if suspicious of nasal foreign body or mass. Rigid rhinoscope. Narrow-bore flexible endoscope. Otoscope. Bronchoscopy – more used in investigation chronic disease (or if suspicious of bronchial FB). Requires GA should be performed as an adjunct to radiography. D I A G N O S T I C S : A D VA N C E D I M A G I N G  DIAGNOSTICS: SAMPLING Nasal/Nasophayngeal Swab. For PCR, Virus isolation, culture and sensitivity. Transtracheal wash (TTW): A sample of tracheal fluid is collected through a catheter inserted directly into the trachea. Good for culture and sensitivity as reduces contamination from the upper respiratory tract. Brochoalveolar lavage (BAL): Small volume of saline is introduced into the bronchi (blind or guided) and then retrieved Good for cytology. Blood Samples: Serology (Antibodies vs specific respiratory pathogens; paired samples at regular intervals to assess response). Biochemistry and haematolgy. Postmortem: Direct examination of respiratory tract. Collection of tissue samples for histopatholgy.