Canine Upper Airway Emergencies – Lecture 3 – Brachycepahlic Obstructive Airway Syndrome

Course Details

This lecture has been RACE approved for 1 CE hour for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

This course covers emergency stabilization and management as well as a non-emergent gold standard work-up for Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). Upper airway evaluation, evaluation for comorbid diseases, and short/long term treatment goals are discussed. Additionally, information is provided regarding an emergency soft palate tacking procedure as well as permanent surgical corrections (stenotic nares revision, soft palate resection, everted laryngeal sacculectomy). Discussion is provided on when an emergency tracheotomy is recommended. Statistical data is discussed on all facets of both medical and surgical management including median survival times, outcomes/prognosis, and complications.

Agenda:

• Emergency stabilization/treatment of a brachycephalic patient in respiratory distress
• Airway evaluation: Identifying normal vs. abnormal anatomy as well as diagnosing and grading laryngeal collapse
• Description of a non-emergent patient work-up in a BOAS center including whole body barometric plethysmography use
• Short- and long-term medical management recommendations
• Description of airway surgeries including salvage procedures for laryngeal collapse and when to recommend an emergency tracheotomy
• Statistical Data: MST, complication rates, outcomes, and much more

Learning Objectives:

• How to stabilize, diagnose, and provide emergency treatments for canines with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in the emergent setting
• How a standard work-up is performed in a BOAS respiratory center
• When/how to treat medically and when to recommend surgical interventions; time frame for stabilization and surgery
• Utilizing current data to educate clients on surgical procedures, outcomes, complications, and survival times.