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Examination of
Respiratory System

General considerations
Upper respiratory tract
Developmental defects
Diseases of upper respiratory tract
Nasal discharge
Pharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Lungs
Percussion
Auscultation
Abnormal respiratory sounds
Lung function tests
Radiological examinations
Coughing
Clinical features of respiratory diseases
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
The respiratory system is a vital system of
body comprises mainly of two segments, i.e.
upper respiratory tract and lower respiratory
tract. The upper respiratory passage or tract
constitutes nostrils, paranasal sinuses,
pharynx and larynx. The lower respiratory
tract has trachea, bronchi and lungs. The main
function of respiratory system is to provide
oxygen to the blood and remove carbon
dioxide from the body. It works under the

control of a center present in medulla known

as respiratory center. The respiration is an
automatic process or reflex act which works
continuously till the animal survives. Air
passes through nostrils/nares and nasal passages into the lungs where exchange of gases
takes place; oxygen is retained in the blood
with hemoglobin and carbon dioxide is
released, which comes out via same route
outside the body in expiration. The
combustion takes place at the cellular level
utilizing oxygen and nutrients which in turn
produces carbon dioxide and this process
continues till the life of animal.
UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT
The upper respiratory tract includes nostrils,
nasal passages, paranasal sinuses, pharynx
and larynx. The anatomical situation of
nostrils in animals vary greatly. In cattle, the
nostrils are present on either side of moist
hairless muzzle. The nostrils are small and
thick and the opening of lacrimal duct is not
visible because it opens into nasal cavity which
is short and wide anteriorly and divided by
a septum posteriorly. In equines, the nostrils
form the outermost end of respiratory
passage and are situated on either side of the
muzzle. The nostrils are distended laterally

Examination of Respiratory System 75

by cartilage. On outer part of each nostril,
a pouch like sac is present which opens into
nostrils and is blind on other side which is
termed as false nostrils. The lacrimal duct
opening is situated inside the lower most part
of nostrils which carries the tears secreted
by lacrimal gland of eyes. The nostrils are
connected internally with nasal passage which
is completely divided by cartilage and bone.
The nasal passage is lined by mucous membrane and posteriorly it opens into pharynx.
In sheep, the nostrils are narrow and long;
since there is no muzzle, these are divided
by a small septum. In pigs, the nostrils are
small and round and are present on flat
surface of snout. Nasal cavity is long and
narrow and divided by a membranous
septum. In dogs, the nostrils are present on
muzzle. The nasal cavities are large and
possess turbinate bones with many folds and
grooves.
Developmental Defects

Nasal mucosa can be examined easily in

horses because of wider nasal openings. The
nasal mucous membrane is pinkish in colour
normally. During inflammatory conditions
the nasal mucosa is spongy on palpation and
velvety in appearance. In various disease
conditions the nasal mucous membranes
show a variety of lesions including congestion, paleness, petechial hemorrhages,
erosion, ulceration and proliferation. Paleness
occurs in anemia and shock, while allergic
conditions lead to congestion. Purpura hemorrhagica and dicumarol poisoning cause petechial hemorrhages. Erosions and ulceration
occur in rinderpest, malignant catarrhal fever
and mucosal disease. Glanders and epizootic
lymphangitis may result in ulcer formation
in nasal mucosa (Fig. 10.2). Small nodules of
about one cm diameter occur in nasal mucosa
due to rhinosporidiosis and nasal granuloma
in cattle. The congestion, ulcers and stenosis
can be observed by using rhinolaryngoscope
during examination.

Palatoschisis is a commonly occurring condition in new born animals characterized by

abnormal connection between nasal cavity
and oral cavity. Due to this opening, the milk
taken by neonates passes to lungs and animal
suffers from aspiration pneumonia and
starvation.
Diseases of Upper Respiratory Tract
Nostrils and surrounding skin may become
swollen due to neoplasia, actinobacillosis, glanders (Fig. 10.1, Plate 2) and purpura hemorrhagica. The vesicles, pustules and scabs may
occur in pox disease and contagious pustular
dermatitis. The muzzle is moist and cool in
cattle and buffaloes, but in febrile conditions,
it becomes dry and hot. In horses, the nostrils
are dialated during inspiratory dyspnea
observed in pulmonary emphysema, pneumonia, bronchitis and rupture of diaphragm.

Fig. 10.2: Ulcers in nasal mucosa of a horse due to

glanders. (Courtsey Dr K C Satija, CCSHAU, Hisar)

The inflammation of nasal mucous

membrane is known as rhinitis. Acute rhinitis
is characterized by coryza and nasal catarrh.

76 Textbook of Veterinary Clinical and Laboratory Diagnosis

The etiology of rhinitis includes dust, pollen,
irritating gases, Aspergillus fumigatus, Spherophorus necrophorus, Bordetella bronchiseptica,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococci, Staphylococci and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Oestrus ovis
in sheep, and Linguatula serrata in dog. In pigs,
atrophic rhinitis is caused by Bordetella
bronchiseptica and characterized by disappearance of mucous membrane of nasal cavity,
softening of turbinate bones, atrophy of
turbinate bones which forms a larger cavity,
catarrh, swelling of nasal mucosa, dyspnea
and anorexia leading to death. The nasal
discharge is of mucopurulent type which may
have blood at times.
Bullnose condition may occur in piglets due
to chronic suppurative rhinitis caused by
Spherophorus necrophorus. This condition is
characterized by enlargement of nose
posteriorly to the cartilaginous rim.
Rhinosporidiosis is caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi and characterized by the presence
of nasal polyp which is soft in consistency.
Paranasal sinuses are connected with nasal
cavity and are four in number.
1. Maxillary sinus
2. Frontal sinus
3. Sphenopalatine sinus
4. Ethmoidal sinus.
The maxillary sinus is situated between
eye and zygomatic ridge while the frontal
sinus is located above the level of line joining
eyes. On palpation and percussion, bony
growth and depressions can be detected.
Under normal conditions, the percussion
sounds are clear and loud which become dull
in neoplastic conditions, cysts, and presence
of exudate in sinus. Sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinus. In dogs, the sinusitis
occurs due to infection in 4th molar teeth
which leads to formation of chronic fistula.
In cattle, the actinomycosis and neoplasia may
cause abnormality in maxillary sinus. Frontal

sinusitis occurs due to extension of infection

from nasal cavity and caused by malignant
catarrhal fever, allergy, horn cancer and other
injury and infection of horns. The sinusitis in
cattle is manifested by nasal discharge which
is unilateral, persistent, fetid with lowered
head of animal.
Nasal Discharge
Nasal discharge arises from nasal cavity or
pharynx and it is either serus or mucoid,
mucopurulent, purulent and hemorrhagic.
Nasal discharge may be unilateral or bilateral,
scanty or copious, continuous or intermittant.
It may also originate from paranasal sinuses,
trachea, bronchi, bronchiole and lungs.
Conjunctival secretions may also come as
nasal discharge through lacrimal duct.
Unilateral nasal discharge occurs in necrotic
conditions of turbinate bones, Oestrus ovis
infection in sheep, Linguatula rhinaria infection
in dogs, neoplastic conditions, pyogenic infections, defective drainage from paranasal
sinuses and empyema of guttural pouch in
horses. Bilateral nasal discharge is more
common and occurs in inflammatory
conditions of nasal cavity including allergic
rhinitis, atrophic rhinitis, strangles, equine
viral arteritis, equine viral rhinopneumonitis,
glanders, malignant catarrhal fever, mucosal
disease, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and
blue tongue. Spontaneous nasal discharge
occurs due to abrupt rupture of abscess in
nasal cavity. Intermittent nasal discharge is
observed during lowered head posture.
Bubbles in nasal discharge occur due to
inflammatory conditions of upper respiratory
tract which leads to large size bubble
formation, while small size bubbles form in
lower respiratory tract infection. The nasal
discharge should be examined for its characteristics like colour, quantity, consistency and
odour.

Examination of Respiratory System 77

Colour
1. Colourless/clear: The serus or mucous
catarrhal nasal discharge which occurs
normally.
2. Grey: Grey nasal discharge is seen when
the epithelial cells are admixed in nasal
discharge.
3. Greyish white: In inflammatory condition
of upper respiratory tract, it contains
leucocytes, giving it the greyish white
colour.
4. Greyish yellow: Due to addition of small
numbers of erythrocytes, the nasal
discharge is of yellowish in colour.
5. Green: Green nasal discharge is seen in
conditions in which chlorophyll of feed is
admixed with nasal discharge.
6. Rust coloured: The red colour nasal
discharge is seen in hemorrhagic conditions of lungs. It occurs in strangles.
7. Bloody nasal discharge: It occurs due to
hemorrhages in upper respiratory tract
which is also known as epistaxis. It occurs
due to trauma, laboured expiration, Oestrus
ovis infection, neoplasia, compression of
jugular vein, glanders, anthrax, infectious
bovine rhinotracheitis infection, malignant
catarrhal fever, uremia and poisoning due
to sweet clover, bracken fern or murcurials.
Quantity
1. Slight: In normal conditions or due to
catarrhal rhinitis, the amount of nasal
discharge is slight.
2. Copious: It occurs in diffuse catarrh of
upper respiratory passage and bronchi. It
has been observed in strangles in horse.
Consistency
1. Serus:
Usually in mild diseases
2. Mucous: In catarrhal inflammation of
nasal cavity.

3. Flocculent: It occurs during mild infection

of upper respiratory tract.
4. Clumpy: It occurs like butter milk in chronic
catarrh of sinuses.
5. Adhering nasal discharge: Adhering exudative nasal discharge occurs in diphtheria.
6. Creamy: It occurs due to addition of pus
in nasal discharge.
Odour
The nasal discharge may be foul or putrid in
gangrenous pneumonia in animals.
Pharynx
Pharynx is an irregularly funnel shaped
structure situated at back of the mouth. It is
a common passage both to respiratory and
digestive system, having crossroads like
passage. The pharynx is composed of muscles
and fibrous tissue sheet and lined by mucous
membrane. It can be examined through
palpation by hand in a sedative administered
animal. This is examined for the presence of
foreign bodies, enlargement of pharyngeal
lymph nodes, tumors and cellulitis. Paralysis
of pharynx occurs in botulism. Swelling of
anterior cervical region occurs due to
enlargement of pharyngeal lymph nodes. The
inflammation of pharynx is known as
pharyngitis, which occurs in common cold,
strangles, influenza, and canine distemper.
Due to inflammatory condition of pharynx,
paralysis and obstruction of esophagus; nasal
discharge may contain food particles mixed
with saliva and green colour of chlorophyll.
Larynx
Larynx is situated at the floor of pharyngeal
cavity. It is an organ of voice and also forms
a part of air passage. Larynx is madeup of
cartilage united by joints and ligaments and
lined by the mucous membrane. On palpation,

78 Textbook of Veterinary Clinical and Laboratory Diagnosis

one can detect the pain, neoplasm in the larynx
and may induce coughing. Auscultation
reveals the laryngeal sounds simulating
bronchial sounds. The stenosis of larynx may
result in whistling sound which occurs due
to inhalation of irritants, oedema, enlargement of thyroid, and in anthrax. Partial
obstruction may occur due to inhalation of
vomitus. Paralysis of vocal cord leads to
whistling sound on exercise.
The inflammation of larynx is known as
laryngitis which is characterized by abnormal
respiratory sound and respiratory rhythm and
coughing. The laryngitis is caused by extension
of infection from nasal cavity and pharynx.
The main causes of laryngitis are canine
distemper, influenza, strangles, infectious
laryngotracheitis in birds, equine viral rhinopneumonitis, equine viral arteritis, infectious
equine bronchitis, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, calf diphtheria and irritant vapours
of chemicals. In infectious laryngotracheitis
virus infection in poultry, the fibrinous and
greyish deposits are present in larynx and
trachea. Catarrhal laryngitis is characterized
by presence of greyish pink mucosa of larynx
which is covered with mucous. Due to edema
of larynx, the animal does not take solid food
but can drink the liquids.
Larynx is also examined by the help of
laryngoscope or rhinolaryngoscope. This is
a tubular structure of 75 cm long and have
builtin optical system. The light rays are
directed to larynx in sedated animals after
insertion through nasal cavity. It can also aid
in examination of nasal mucosa, pharynx,
larynx and guttural pouch. The laryngoscope
can also detect the paralysis of vocal cords
in which the mobility of cords is lost and
asymmetrical arrangement is observed.
TRACHEA
Trachea is a tubular structure having 50-60
incomplete cartilaginous rings; it starts from

larynx and ends at hilus of the lungs. The

trachea is situated in neck ventrally to
esophagus and laterally to carotid artery,
jugular vein and vagus nerve. Trachea is
examined through palpation and auscultation.
On palpation, pain, swelling and deformity
can be observed; while auscultation reveals
the tracheal sounds appeared due to various
disease conditions. Moist rales can be heard
when mucous, blood or exudate is
accumulated in trachea. The inflammation of
trachea is termed as tracheitis. Ordinary
tracheal rales can be heard in tracheitis,
bronchitis, pulmonary edema and pulmonary
hemorrhages. The stenosis of trachea occurs
when wound scar or neoplasm is present; it
causes whistling sounds due to dry mucous
membrane and stenosis of lumen of trachea.
Inspiratory sounds can be heard over trachea
when inflammation of upper respiratory tract
is present.
Tracheal percussion helps in diagnosis of
inflammatory condition of lungs from edema.
One should apply immediate percussion with
fingers of one hand and clinician examines
the lungs with stethoscope. If the lungs have
air, the sounds are distant and indistinctly
heard. In consolidation of lungs, the sound
will be loud and distinct. In pneumonia, the
tracheal percussion sounds are very loud and
distinct and their origin appears to be the
chest. In hydrothorax, the percussion sounds
seem to be originated from a distant point.
LUNGS
Most of the thoracic cavity area is occupied
by the lungs. In cattle, the trachea bifurcates
at the level of 5th rib into two bronchus; right
and left. The right bronchus is attached to
the right lung which is larger than left. Both
lungs are near the lower extremity of 6th rib
to the upper part of 11th intercostal space.
In horses also, the right lung is larger than
left. The dorsal border of the lungs are thick

Examination of Respiratory System 79

and extends to the 16th intercostal space. The
basal border of lungs are thin and situated
between diaphragm and costal ribs at the
level of costochondral junction of 7th rib. In
sheep, the basal border of the lungs extends
upward and backwards from near the lower
extremity of 6th rib to the upper part of the
11th intercostal space. In pigs, the dorsal
border extends posteriorly to the third last
intercostal space, while the basal border is
at the level of 6th rib. The lungs of dog have
convex costal surface. The dorsal border of
lungs extends backward to the 11th intercostal space while basal border forms a cavity
and extends dorsally from 7th rib to upper
part of 12th rib.
Lungs cannot be palpated satisfactorily
because of ribs covering the chest. However,
in pleurisy, one can demonstrate the pain
reaction on palpation. In pleurisy and tetanus,
the ribs movement decreases with narrowing
of intercostal space. Percussion of the chest
wall is useful as the vibration of chest wall
and air containing lungs give an idea about
some illness. The area of percussion in horse
is a triangle area formed by the points (a)
angle of scapula (b) olecranon process of the
ulna and (c) second last intercostal space at
a point on horizontal line from scapula to the
external angle of ileum. In cattle, in addition,
smaller prescapular area oval in shape at
lower part of the neck infront of shoulder
should also be included for percussion and
auscultation.
Percussion
On percussion different types of sounds are
observed in various conditions of lungs and
chest cavity, which are as follows:
1. Ringing sounds: The ringing sounds are
produced by the presence of large quantity
of gases beneath the site of percussion.
These sounds are more resonant when

chest wall is thin and lung size is large but

in vice-versa, the percussion sounds are
slower ringing. The ringing sounds are
exaggerated in pulmonary emphysema,
pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema,
and diaphragmatic hernia.
2. Dull sounds: Dull sounds are observed
when there is no air beneath the area of
percussion. These can be heard in pneumonia, neoplasia, and edema of lungs.
3. Tympanic sounds: These sounds are
observed like musical ring like kettle drum
and produced by very small area of lung.
These are low or high pitched. These
sounds are associated with early stage of
pneumonia, pneumothorax, subcutaneous
emphysema and diaphragmatic hernia.
4. Metallic ring sounds: These are like tympanic
sounds but the musical character is more
pronounced. The tone of metallic ring
sounds is high pitched like a sound of
striking an empty metal jug. These can be
observed in pneumonia.
5. Cracked pot sounds: These sounds are
simulating the sounds produced by
striking a cracked pot. These arise when
air passes from a narrow opening and are
observed when the cavity is connecting
bronchus through a narrow hole. These
are observed in subcutaneous emphysema
and pneumonia.
Normally the ringing sounds are produced by healthy lungs in cattle, buffaloes,
horses, sheep and goats while in dogs and
cats, the normal percussion sounds of lungs
are tympanic sounds.
Auscultation
The area of auscultation is same as used in
percussion. The auscultation is performed by
using a stethoscope, which should be firmly
attached to the thoracic wall to reduce the
crackling sounds of friction. If there are more

80 Textbook of Veterinary Clinical and Laboratory Diagnosis

hair/wool on the area of auscultation, remove
them before performing auscultation and
whole area should be systematically auscultated. Usually two types of sounds are
observed in normal animals:
1. Vesicular sounds: These sounds resemble the
whispered V sound, which indicates
presence of air in intact alveoli. Such sounds
are heard through out the respiratory area.
These can be more easily observed during
inspiration. During expiration, its character
changes to sounds of letter F. In hyperpnea and dyspnea, the vesicular sounds
are exaggerated and audible during both
inspiration and expiration. The vesicular
sounds are decreased in pitch due to thick
chest wall and early stage of pneumonia.
In pneumonia and pulmonary edema, the
vesicular murmurs are absent. During
pulmonary congestion, the shrill vesicular
sounds are observed. Hoarse vesicular
sounds are heard in early stage of
bronchitis. Localized interrupted vesicular
sounds are observed in tuberculous
bronchopneumonia and fibrosis of lungs.
2. Bronchial respiratory sounds: These sounds
resemble Ch and long drawn out gultural
sounds. These are audible at larynx and
trachea and are both inspiratory and
expiratory. The inspiratory bronchial
sound terminates before the end of
inspiration followed by a pause and then
expiratory sound till the end of expiration.
Bronchial sounds are heard clearly in other
areas of lungs in pneumonia, pleurisy,
hydrothorax and lung cancer. In bronchitis, such sounds can be listened on
bronchial parts only. Increased respiration
due to excitement may also be responsible
for superimposed bronchial sounds over
vesicular sounds throughout the lung area.
Intermediate sounds are observed in
animals in which both vesicular and
bronchial sounds are diminished.

Abnormal Respiratory Sounds

The abnormal respiratory sounds can be
heard over bronchi, lung, pleura and diaphragm. These are classified in four groups:
1. Rales: These sounds are suggestive of the
presence of fluid in bronchi and/or
bronchiole; fluid may be of exudate,
transudate, hemorrhagic or pus containing. The rales are dry or moist depending upon the type of secretion/fluid
present in the system.
a. Dry rales: The dry rales are observed
when air passes through bronchi
constricted by the presence of exudate
or smelting of mucous membrane. The
flow of air produces vibrations when
it passes through fine threads of
mucous in bronchioles. The types of
such sounds are humming, rattling,
whistling, crackling and squeaking. It
occurs in acute and chronic bronchitis,
bronchial spasms, tuberculosis and
lung cancer.
b. Moist rales: When mucous is of low
viscosity and present in bronchus, the
sound produces when air passes
through such bronchus. The moist
rales are bubling and they originate
from alveoli, bronchiole and bronchi.
These are fine or coarse. The fine moist
rales are having unfavourable prognosis and indicate the last stage of the
respiratory disease. These occurs in
pulmonary hemorrhages, bronchopneumonia, aspiration pneumonia and
bronchitis.
c. Crepitant rales: The crepitant rales are
the crackling sounds observed during
the end of inspiratory phase. Such
sounds are heard in swelling of
bronchial mucosa, exudation in alveoli
which occurs in bronchitis, congestion
of lungs and lung edema.
2. Emphysematous sounds: The emphysematous sounds are harsh and crackling

Examination of Respiratory System 81

and are heard during inspiration. These
sounds simulate the sounds produced by
crushing of sheet of soft paper into a wall.
It occurs in pulmonary emphysema and
edema.
3. Frictional sounds: In respiratory area, the
frictional sounds occur from pleura or
pericardium which are due to pleurisy and
pericarditis. The pleural and pericardial
frictional sounds are different in their
origin and position and these are not
associated with respiratory movements.
These frictional sounds are associated with
pain and are followed by cough in pleurisy.
4. Other sounds: The auscultation of chest area
may also reveal, sometimes, other sounds
which are mistakenly understood as respiratory sounds. Such sounds originate from
swallowing of food, groaning, contraction
of muscles, trembling, and peristaltic
sounds. Peristaltic sounds are splashing
and rumbling in character and are not
related with respiratory movements.
Lung Function Tests
Apart from auscultation, spirography can be
done to test the lungs functional activity,
though it is sophisticated technique. It
determines respiratory volume, inspiratory
and expiratory reserves, vital capacity and
residual air.
Lung tissue biopsy can be performed when
all other diagnostic aids fail. Using a trochar
and cannula (15 cm long and 5-6 mm
diameter), the lung tissue is collected by
inserting it at 8-9th intercostal space between
middle and upper third of the chest wall.
Remove the trochar and apply electric drill
to cut the lung tissue. Apply strong suction
with 50 ml syringe containing sodium citrate
and immediately transfer the collected tissue
in fixative for further examination.
Paracentesis is the process of collection
and examination of fluid from thoracic cavity

with the help of syringe and needle. For this

the needle is inserted at 6th or 7th intercostal
space. The aspirated fluid is examined grossly
and microscopically for any alteration. The
characteristics of fluid are as follows in some
of the chest diseases:
1. Hemothorax: The fluid contains blood.
2. Pyothorax: The fluid contains pus cells.
3. Hydrothorax: The fluid is clear.
4. Pleurisy: The fluid is having microorganisms which can be demonstrated by
smear staining or cultural examination.
Lung worm infection can be diagnosed by
examination of feces for larvae or ova of
various lung worms present in the lungs.
The feces of suspected animal should be
collected and examined as per the procedure
given in chapter 22.
The lung worms of animals are:
Cattle
Dictyocaulus viviparous
Paragonimus westermanii
Horse
Dictyocaulus arnifieldi
Sheep
D.filaria
Protostrongylus rufescens
Mullerius minutissimus
P. westermanii
Pig
Metastrongylus apri
Ascaris larvae
Dog
Aleurostrongylus abstrasus
Cat
Angiostrongylus vasorum
P. westermanii
Radiological Examinations
The radiological examination of the thoracic
cavity reveals the presence of tubercle in
mediastinal lymph nodes, and lungs, neoplastic growth, and diaphragmatic hernia.
COUGHING
Coughing occurs due to stimulation of cough
center in medulla oblongata through irritation or respiratory mucosa of pharynx, larynx,
trachea, bronchi, pulmonary alveoli and

6.

Present

Respiratory sounds
a. Vesicular sound

5.

Dyspnea

b. Bronchial sound

c. Frictional sound

d. Moist rales sound

e. Crepitation sounds
Percussion sounds

Cough

4.

Normal

Exaggerated

Respiration

3.

Fever

2.

Serus,
Mucoid/
mucoid or purulent
purulent
Slight
Marked

Bronchitis

Dry, harsh
or moist,
soft

Nasal discharge

1.

Rhinitis

Absent

Clinical features

Sr.
No.

Present

Present
Present
Reduction
in resonance
area

Exaggerated

Copious,
frequent

Severe
Dyspnea

Marked

Mucoid/
purulent

Bronchopneumonia

Present

Present
Present
Dull

Exaggerated

Some
cough

Dyspnea

Mild

Rusty

Present

Absent
Present
Dull

Absent

Dyspnea
severe
Suppressed

Marked

Rusty,
fetid

Interstitial pneumonia
I stage
II stage

Deep hollow
cough

Dyspnea
on exertion

Absent

Pulmonary
emphysema

Absent

Dull
area in
lower
part of
chest

Dyspnea

Mild

Pleurisy
Late
stage

Abdominal

Mild

Early
stage

Returns
Crackling

to normal noise, increased in volume

Normal

Present
Present

Present

ResoIncrease in
Normal
nance
resonance
return

Decreasing
Dyspnea
decreasing
Moist
cough

Mucopurulent

III stage

Table 10.1: Clinical features of respiratory diseases

82 Textbook of Veterinary Clinical and Laboratory Diagnosis

Examination of Respiratory System 83

pleura. It is also stimulated by irritation of
esophagus and its chocking.
The coughing includes deep inspiration,
approximation of vocal cords, compression
of air in lungs by forced expiration, sudden
abduction of vocal cords leading explosive
expiration. The coughing occurs to remove
the excess mucous exudate, foreign body
present in the respiratory passage and thus
it is suggestive of presence of disease of
respiratory system.
Coughing can be induced by repeated
application of pressure on larynx, pharynx,
and trachea in large animals. The compression
of thorax in small animals results in coughing.
In early stage of pneumonia, the coughing is
infrequent and in late stage of pneumonia,
coughing becomes frequent. Paroxysm of
coughing is characterized by numerous
coughs followed by one after another. Usually
the coughing is painless while in pleurisy,
bronchitis, tuberculosis, adhesions and acute
laryngitis, coughing causes pain.
CLINICAL FEATURES OF RESPIRATORY
DISEASES
Table 10.1 depicts clinical features of respiratory diseases in animals.
QUESTIONS
Q 1. Indicate whether the following statements are True or False.
1. ________ The upper respiratory tract constitutes nostrils, paranasal sinuses, pharynx
and trachea.
2. _______ The centre for the control of respiration are present in the hypothalamus
of brain.
3. _________ Bull nose condition is chronic
suppurative rhinitis in cattle.
________
4.
Nasal polyps are of special feature
in Rhinosporidiosis.

5. _______ Tracheal percussion helps in the

diagnosis of inflammatory condition of
lungs from edema.
6. _________ The ringing sounds by percussion
of lung can be heard in pulmonary
emphysema.
7. _______ In hypernea and dyspnea, the
vesicular sounds are exaggerated and
audible during both inspiration and
expiration.
8. ________ Dry rates are observed when air
passes through bronchi dilated by the
presence of exudate.
9. ________ Crepitant rales are the crackling
sounds observed during the end of
expiratory phase.
10. ________ Lung worm infection can be
diagnosed by examination of feces for
larvae or ova lung worms.
Q 2. Fill in the spaces below with most
appropriate word/words.
1. The term _______ is used for haemorrhage
from nasal cavity.
2. Inflammation of nasal cavity is called
_________
.
3. Bull nose condition is caused by _______.
4. The narrowing of the bronchial lumen
is known as ________.
5. Increased amount of air in lungs is called
_______
.
6. Dictyocaulus __________ causes verminous
pneumonia in cattle.
7. Alveoli of lungs are lined by ________
epithelial cells.
8. Dictyocaulus ________ is a lung worm of
horse.
9. The process of collection and examination of fluid from thoracic cavity is
known as __________.
10. Spirography is done to test the
functional activity of _________.

84 Textbook of Veterinary Clinical and Laboratory Diagnosis

Q 3. Select the most appropriate answer
from the four choices given in each
question.
1. The lower respiratory tract consists of:
A. Nostrils and trachea
B. Larynx and trachea
C. Trachea, bronchi and lung
D. Larynx, bronchi and lung
2. Which one is the disease of the upper
respiratory tract:
A. Glanders
B. Rinderpest
C. Johnes disease
D. Leptospirosis
3. Metastrongylus apri is a lung worm of:
A. Cattle
B. Horse
C. Cat
D. Pig

4. What respiratory lung sounds are

produced when there is no air beneath the
area of percussion:
A. Ringing sounds
B. Tympanic sounds
C. Cracked pot sounds
D. Dull sounds
5. The moist rales are bubbling and
originate from:
A. Larynx
B. Alveoli, bronchi and bronchiole
C. Trachea
D. Larynx and trachea
Q
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

4. Define the following terms.

Rhinitis
Palatoschisis
Atelectasis
Frictional sounds
Epistaxis