The respiratory system performs several functions. Most importantly, it delivers oxygen to the cardiovascular system for distribution to the body and it removes carbon dioxide. In addition to gas exchange, the respiratory system performs numerous other functions, including maintaining acid-base balance, acting as a blood reservoir, filtering and probably destroying emboli, and metabolizing some bioactive substances and activating others.
View by:
Respiratory System
/
-
Respiratory System Introduction
-
Aspiration Pneumonia
-
Diaphragmatic Hernia
-
Laryngeal Disorders
-
Lungworm Infection
-
Mycotic Pneumonia
-
Pharyngitis
-
Pulmonary Emphysema
-
Respiratory Diseases of Cattle
- Overview of Respiratory Diseases of Cattle
- Allergic Rhinitis and Enzootic Nasal Granuloma in Cattle
-
-
- Tracheal Edema Syndrome of Feeder Cattle
- Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex
-
Enzootic Pneumonia of Calves and Shipping Fever Pneumonia
-
Viral Respiratory Tract Infections in Cattle
-
-
Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia
- Interstitial Pneumonia in Cattle
-
Acute Bovine Pulmonary Emphysema and Edema
- Anaphylaxis in Cattle
-
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis in Cattle
- Diffuse Fibrosing Alveolitis in Cattle
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome of Feedlot Cattle
- 4-Ipomeanol Toxicity (Moldy Sweet Potato) and Perilla Ketone Toxicity (Purple Mint Toxicity) in Cattle
- Toxic Gases in Respiratory Disease of Cattle
-
Vena Caval Thrombosis and Metastatic Pneumonia in Cattle
-
Respiratory Diseases of Horses
- Overview of Respiratory Diseases of Horses
-
-
- Equine Viral Arteritis
- Hendra Virus Infection in Horses
-
-
Rhodococcus equi Pneumonia in Foals
-
Acute Bronchointerstitial Pneumonia in Foals
-
-
Recurrent Airway Obstruction in Horses
-
Inflammatory Airway Disease in Horses
-
Exercise-induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Horses
-
Laryngeal Hemiplegia in Horses
- Pharyngeal Lymphoid Hyperplasia in Horses
-
Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate in Horses
- Epiglottic Entrapment in Horses
- Subepiglottic Cyst in Horses
- Fourth Branchial Arch Defect in Horses
-
Diseases of the Nasal Passages in Horses
-
Diseases of the Paranasal Sinuses in Horses
-
Guttural Pouch Disease in Horses
-
Respiratory Diseases of Pigs
-
Respiratory Diseases of Sheep and Goats
-
Respiratory Diseases of Small Animals
- Overview of Respiratory Diseases of Small Animals
-
Allergic Pneumonitis in Small Animals
-
-
-
Feline Respiratory Disease Complex
- Lung Flukes in Small Animals
-
Lung Nematodes in Small Animals
-
Neoplasia of the Respiratory System in Small Animals
-
-
Pulmonary Thromboembolism in Small Animals
-
Rhinitis and Sinusitis in Small Animals
-
-
Tracheobronchitis in Small Animals
Respiratory System Sections (A-Z)
Aspiration Pneumonia
Diaphragmatic Hernia
Laryngeal Disorders
Also see Laryngeal Hemiplegia in Horses.
Lungworm Infection
An infection of the lower respiratory tract, usually resulting in bronchitis or pneumonia, can be caused by any of several parasitic nematodes, including Dictyocaulus viviparus in cattle, llamas, and alpacas; D filaria in goats, sheep, llamas, and alpacas; D eckerti in deer; D arnfieldi in donkeys and horses; Protostrongylus rufescens and Muellerius capillaris in sheep and goats; Metastrongylus apri, M pudendotectus, and M salmi in pigs; Oslerus osleri, Crenosoma vulpis, and Eucoleus aerophilus in dogs; and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and E aerophilus in cats. Other lungworm infections occur but are less common.
Mycotic Pneumonia
Pharyngitis
Pulmonary Emphysema
Two major forms of pulmonary emphysema are generally recognized. Alveolar emphysema is abnormal permanent enlargement of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchiole and destruction of alveolar septal walls without apparent fibrosis. Interstitial emphysema is the presence of air within the supporting connective tissue stroma of the lung (interlobular, subpleural, mediastinal, subcutaneous).
Respiratory Diseases of Cattle
Respiratory Diseases of Horses
Viral respiratory infections are common in horses; the most notable are equine herpesvirus infection, equine influenza, and equine viral arteritis. The clinical manifestations are similar and include pyrexia, serous nasal discharge, submandibular lymphadenopathy, anorexia, and cough. In addition to respiratory disease, equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) can cause abortion and neurologic disease, and equine herpesvirus type 5 (EHV-5) is a newly recognized cause of multinodular pulmonary fibrosis. Equine viral arteritis produces respiratory disease, vasculitis, and abortion. Equine herpesvirus type 2 (EHV-2), equine rhinitis virus, and reovirus are ubiquitous viral respiratory pathogens, and infection results in minimal clinical disease. Adenovirus pneumonia is most often seen in association with severe combined immunodeficiency in Arabian foals. Hendra virus (see Hendra Virus Infection) is a zoonotic disease of horses identified in Australia; it is rapidly fatal in horses, and close contact is necessary for disease transmission.
Respiratory Diseases of Pigs
Respiratory diseases of pigs can be classified into two broad categories based on the extent and duration of overt disease: those that affect large numbers of pigs and may be serious but of limited duration, and those that persist in a large number of pigs for indefinite periods. Diseases in the first category can be costly, but the losses are limited rather than ongoing. They include swine influenza (see Swine Influenza), classical swine fever (see Classical Swine Fever), the pneumonic forms of pseudorabies (see Pseudorabies), porcine circovirus-associated disease (see Porcine Circovirus Diseases), and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (see Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome). The causal viruses may persist in a herd, but outbreaks of overt disease tend to be self-limiting.
Respiratory Diseases of Sheep and Goats
Respiratory Diseases of Small Animals
Respiratory System Introduction
The respiratory system performs several functions. Most importantly, it delivers oxygen to the cardiovascular system for distribution to the body and it removes carbon dioxide. Gas transfer occurs in the alveoli of the lungs, where the air-blood barrier is a thin, permeable membrane. Failure or major dysfunction of gas transfer due to disease processes that compromise this membrane or its air or blood supply have serious effects. In addition to gas exchange, the respiratory system performs numerous other functions, including maintaining acid-base balance, acting as a blood reservoir, filtering and probably destroying emboli, metabolizing some bioactive substances (eg, serotonin, prostaglandins, corticosteroids, and leukotrienes), and activating some substances (eg, angiotensin). The respiratory system also protects its own delicate airways by warming and humidifying inhaled air and by filtering out particulate material. The upper airways also provide for the sense of smell (olfaction) and play a role in temperature regulation in panting animals.
Also of Interest
Test your knowledge
The clinical signs of frontal sinusitis include fever, anorexia, nasal discharge, changes in nasal airflow, and bad breath. Which of the following conditions is most likely to cause frontal sinusitis in cattle?