Page 2781 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

1450 Smoke Inhalation

Smoke Inhalation
VetBooks.ir

Possible smoke
inhalation

Signs of clinically significant
smoke inhalation:
• Dyspnea and/or tachypnea
• Upper airway obstruction
• Changes in mentation
• Burned whiskers or soot in
nose and mouth
• Smoky smell to fur

Respiratory effort increased
Yes No

• Provide supplemental oxygen Provide supportive care and
• Consider tracheostomy for monitor for 24 hours
upper airway obstruction
• Consider bronchodilator
• Positive pressure ventilation may
be required Fluorescein stain eyes:
• Pulse oximeter can overestimate • Rule out corneal ulceration
oxygen-carrying capacity due to
carbon monoxide

Systemic antimicrobial
treatment—not routinely
Important considerations: indicated
• It can take up to 24 hours after exposure
for signs of respiratory distress
to develop
• Animals with neurologic signs Identification and appropriate treatment of burns
have a poor prognosis
• Pneumonia can develop up to one week
after inhalation event

UPDATED AND EDITED BY: Leah A. Cohn, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN BY: Scott P. Shaw, DVM, DACVECC

www.ExpertConsult.com