Respiratory Emergencies.

Respiratory distress is commonly seen in dogs and cats presenting to the emergency room. Rapid identification of respiratory difficulty with strategic stabilization and diagnostic efforts are warranted to maximize patient outcome. This article focuses on the relevant anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system and the clinical recognition, stabilization, and initial diagnostic planning for small animal patients that present for respiratory emergencies.

Recurrent Hyperkalemia During General Anesthesia in a Dog.

Objective: To describe the development of recurrent hyperkalemia in a dog that underwent general anesthesia at two different hospitals within a month. The definitive underlying cause of the hyperkalemia remains unknown. Case summary: A 11 year-old male neutered Rottweiler underwent general anesthesia on two separate occasions at two different hospitals for ophthalmic surgery within a month and developed marked hyperkalemia on each occasion. The patient received similar drug protocols in both instances, including propofol, midazolam, non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents, and isoflurane inhalant anesthetic. The patient showed ECG changes consistent with hyperkalemia during the first anesthetic event, but not the second. No underlying cause of hyperkalemia was definitively identified. The patient responded to standard therapy for hyperkalemia on both occasions and serum potassium levels returned to normal. The patient was discharged from the hospital without further complications and post-operative rechecks showed persistently normal serum potassium levels. New or unique information provided: Considering that there is a relationship between the development of severe hyperkalemia and propofol administration in human patients, it is possible that such a relationship exists in veterinary patients. However, numerous other diseases and medications can also lead to peri-operative hyperkalemia. Veterinary professionals should be aware that hyperkalemia can develop intra-operatively and remains be an important differential diagnosis in bradycardic patients under anesthesia that are not responding to traditional therapies.

Clinical Application of Pulmonary Function Testing in Small Animals.

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are important diagnostic tools that have wide clinical applications in human and veterinary medicine. Widespread use of PFTs in measuring lung volumes in veterinary medicine was historically limited by the need for specialized equipment to accurately perform and interpret these tests, and by lack of patient cooperation. However, recent advances and modifications have allowed PFTs to be safely performed in conscious veterinary patients with minimal stress. This article focuses on the most commonly used tests of pulmonary function including tests of pulmonary mechanics and of gas exchange in the lungs.