Cat auscultation
Cat’s lung examination, if you don’t know, come and see! Lungs It belongs to the respiratory organ. Like humans, the cat’s respiratory system is also very delicate. For cats, the occurrence of respiratory symptoms may be caused by lesions in the lungs. Once sick, the respiratory tract can quickly enter an emergency state. At the time of diagnosis, it is very important to observe the normal breathing pattern of the cat. At the same time, lung examination is also necessary, so that the best treatment method can be taken to ensure the cat’s health.
I. General inspection:
Pulmonary function test: for early detection of lung and airway lesions, identification of the cause of dyspnea, diagnosis of lesion location, assessment of disease severity and prognosis, evaluation of drugs or other treatments.
Position of the chest: Pneumonia, tuberculosis, lung cancer, lung abscess, pleurisy, cardiac hypertrophy, mediastinal tumor, thymic tumor, etc. disease.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate test: Accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate is seen in rheumatic fever, acute infectious diseases, active tuberculosis, pneumonia, sinusitis, cholecystitis, Various anemia, leukemia, acute endocarditis, myocardial infarction and some malignant tumors, etc.
Medical examination: check the heart, lung, liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidney, intestine, Nervous system abnormalities.
Computed tomography (CT) scan: It can be used in situations such as ultrasound that cannot provide a diagnosis, a CT scan can help identify lung tumors Whether surgical resection is possible. If a cat is in respiratory distress due to pulmonary fluid, removing some of the fluid will provide emergency rescue. The veterinarian will use a thoracic drainage tube for drainage, and once the cat has stabilized, it can be used in conjunction with other treatments.
Second, lung auscultation:
Broncho-breath sounds: Sounds produced by the turbulent flow of respiratory airflow at the glottis, trachea, or main trachea, similar to the “ha” sound produced by raising the tongue to exhale through the mouth . The bronchial breath sounds are pitched high and the sound is strong. Compared with inhalation and exhalation, exhalation sounds are stronger, higher pitched and longer than inhalation sounds. In normal cats, bronchial breath sounds can be heard near the larynx, suprasternal fossa, the 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae and the 1st and 2nd thoracic vertebrae of the back.
Alveolar breath sounds: caused by the passage of respiratory air in and out of the bronchioles and alveoli. When inhaling, the air flows through the bronchi into the alveoli, making the alveoli change from relaxation to tension, and when exhaling, the alveoli change from tension to relaxation. The alveolar breath sound is very similar to the “fu” sound made by the upper teeth biting the lower lip when inhaling. Compared with inhalation and exhalation, inspiratory sounds are louder, higher in pitch and longer in duration than exhalation sounds. In normal cats, alveolar breath sounds were heard in the rest of the chest except for the bronchial breath sounds and bronchoalveolar breathing sites.
Low-key dry rales: Also known as snores. The pitch is low, and its fundamental frequency is about 100-200Hz, such as snoring in deep sleep, which mostly occurs in the trachea or main bronchus.
Coarse wet rales: Also known as big and small bubbles. Occurs in the trachea, main bronchus or cavities, mostly in the early stage of inspiration. Seen in bronchiectasis, severe pulmonary edema and pulmonary tuberculosis or pulmonary abscess cavity. Comatose or dying patients are unable to expel respiratory secretions, and thick moist rales can be heard in the trachea, sometimes even without a stethoscope, which is called phlegm.
Medium moist rales: also known as medium and small bubbles, which occur in medium-sized bronchi, mostly in the middle of inspiration. Seen in bronchitis or bronchopneumonia.
fine wet rales: also known as small blisters. Occurs in small bronchi, mostly in late inspiration. Common in bronchiolitis, bronchopneumonia, pulmonary congestion and pulmonary infarction.
Pleural friction: When the pleural surface becomes rough due to inflammation, it can occur with breathing. The nature of the sound varies greatly, some are soft and subtle, while others are rough. Inhale and exhale can be heard. Generally, it is more obvious at the beginning of inhalation and exhalation, the sound disappears when you hold your breath, and the sound increases when you take a deep breath, which can be used to identify pericardial fricatives. Make the sick cat cover the nose and mouth and strengthen the abdominal movement. At this time, although there is no airflow in and out of the airway, pleural friction sounds can still be heard, which can be distinguished from crepitus. Pleural friction fricatives are most commonly heard on the anterior and inferior chest wall, as this region has the greatest respiratory motion.
