Page 84 - 2026 SMOG

MWD AIRWAY MANAGEMENT
Clinical Signs Differential Diagnosis
• Dyspnea • Upper airway obstruction
• Labored inspiration • Laryngeal paralysis
• Stridor/snoring • Pneumo/hemo/pyothorax
• Trauma to the airway • Diaphragmatic hernia
• Disruption of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, or • Pleural effusion
trachea • Pulmonary contusions
• Pulmonary edema
• Pneumonia
Treatment

• Inspect, wipe, and/or suction mouth and pharynx 100% Oxygen Supplementation Examples
• Ventilate with 100% oxygen
˚ If unable, move to the next step
• Endotracheal Intubation (Size 9–11 mm ET tube)
˚ If unable, move to the next step
• Suction Airway Conscious or fractious muzzled dogs (10–15L/min)
˚ If airway still not clear, move to next step Orotracheal intubation or tracheostomy (2L/min)
• Perform Tracheostomy
˚ If lung sounds are not clear and bilateral, reposition and suction the ET tube
• Evaluate for pleural space and parenchymal problems
˚ Open PTX requires an occlusive seal over the wound with a chest bandage to secure the
material.
˚ Decreased lung sounds, signs of respiratory distress, or rapid deterioration = thoracentesis
(6th–8th intercostal space; insert the needle at the cranial aspect of the rib)
■ Repeated thoracenteses may be required
• Ventilatory support: Manual IPPV (MIPPV) or Mechanical Ventilation (MV)
˚ May be required for MWDs that fail to respond to correction or stabilization of the primary
respiratory problem, and supplemental oxygen support
MILITAY WORKING DOG ˚ ˚ Ventilatory support requires a heavily sedated or anesthetized patient, even if a tracheostomy
tube is in place
MIPPV is feasible if personnel can be spared for this, and is ideal for short-term (<6 hours)
˚ ventilator support
MV may be necessary if MIPPV fails or the duration of ventilator support is expected to be
>6 hours
˚ Induce general anesthesia and use Controlled Ventilation or AssistControl ventilator mode.
(continues)

76 • MILITARY WORKING DOG (MWD)