Regardless of the cause of the respiratory distress, animals will be at their most fragile immediately after presentation owing to the stress of transportation and handling, These patients need to be assessed in a quiet area with easy access to oxygentherapy and emergency drugs. Physical examination should focus on the major body systems: the respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological systems An initial observational respiratory triage is recommended. Assessment of the patient's posture, respiratory rate, effort and breathing pattern can all be done at a distance. Postural manifestations of severe dyspnoea include abducted elbows, extended neck and shifting body positioning. Particular attention should be given to the presence of any respiratorynoise and whether it is primarily inspiratory or expiratory, as well as close assessment of the excursion of the chest wall relative to the abdominal wall. Inspiratory respiratory noises are indicative of upper airway disease, and asynchronous chest andabdominal wall movements alongside decreased lung auscultation are highly suggestive of pleural space disease. Emergent intubation is more likely to be required incases of severe upper respiratory distress, However, the use of an anxiolytic such as butorphanol should be attempted prior to emergency intubation, To be prepared for emergency intubation, one should have anaesthetic induction agents and a variety of sizes of endotracheal tubes as well as a urinary catheter for use as guide-wire to enable rapid intubation should it be required.
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