Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Overview
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) refers to a condition of sudden respiratory failure due to fluid accumulation and severe inflammation in the lungs. ARDS is a life-threatening problem, with current mortality rates in dogs at almost 100 percent.
This condition occurs following an episode which leads to a state of shock, such as traumatic injury. ARDS is indicative of an underlying medical condition, usually an injurious event that has allowed blood, fluid and tissue to cross over the barrier and into the alveoli, the air cells in the lungs, causing them to collapse. Once the alveoli have been compromised in this way, breathing becomes laboured.
Characteristics and Symptoms
Some of the common symptoms include:
- Extreme efforts to breath
- Coughing
- Discharge from nostrils
- Fever
- Cyanosis (blue discoloration of skin)
There may also be other signs which are related to underlying disease process.
Treatment
ARDS is a medical emergency requiring immediate veterinary attention. Important information the vet needs includes: a thorough history of your dog's health, onset of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have preceded this condition, such as trauma to any part of the body, or inhalation of gases, fumes, or solid matter.
Along with the emergency treatment, such as oxygen and fluid therapy, your veterinarian will work to find the underlying cause for the sudden lung failure.
Possible Test Results :
- Clear
- Carrier
- Affected
- Hereditary Clear
- Hereditary Carrier
- Hereditary Affected
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