ABSTRACT
All hospitals should have a form of supplemental oxygen available. Supplemental oxygen may be provided via a variety of options, including flow-by, face mask, nasal oxygen, e-collar and cellophane wrap (‘oxygen hood’), oxygen cage, and intubation with intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV). Flow-by oxygen is provided by holding an oxygen source near the mouth and nostrils of the affected patient. Flow-by oxygen is an easy and rapid solution; however, the actual increase over room air’s oxygen content may be minimal, particularly with an anxious or uncooperative pet. Oxygen may also be provided with a face mask, with the oxygen tubing attached to a cone that is placed over the nose and mouth of the patient. The oxygen concentration achieved with a face mask is also variable, although with very weak animals a high percentage (>80%) may be reached. Both flow-by and face mask oxygen may require veterinary personnel to hold both the pet and the oxygen supply. Nasal oxygen involves placement of a flexible catheter into the nasal passages and insufflation of humidified oxygen, typically at 50-100 ml/kg/min. Nasal oxygen is particularly useful in pets that are neither panting nor open-mouth breathing, as high inspiratory flow rates associated with panting will result in relative decreases in the percentage inspired oxygen. Nasal oxygen is commonly placed after patient stabilization, rather than urgently in the emergency setting. Nasal catheters may also be advanced into the trachea, by-passing the upper
Difficulty breathing, or ‘dyspnea’, requires prompt attention in dogs and cats. Some authors prefer to avoid the term dyspnea, as it defines a sensation of breathlessness in people, which dogs and cats are unable to describe, and substitute respiratory distress or shortness of breath. No matter the name, respiratory distress of any origin represents a true emergency, and rapid attention is warranted to identify the underlying cause, to limit the sensation of difficulty breathing, and to provide diagnostic and therapeutic information for clients of affected animals.
