Patient Profile:  "Annie", a 1-year old, intact female Australian Shepherd.

History: "Annie" presented to the emergency service on 4/5.   The owners came home to find their house on fire.  They got "Annie" out of the house and estimated she had been in there for 1 1/2 hours.  She was coughing and in mild respiratory distress. 

Physical Examination:  Heart rate = 130/minute.  Pulse rate = 130/minute.  Respiratory rate = 40/minute.  Body weight = 36.36 kg.  "Annie's" attitude, gait and capillary refill time were all normal.  She was estimated to be 5% dehydrated.  The heart ausculted normally but the lung sounds were harsh.  The abdomen palpated normally and neurological system seemed normal.

Laboratory Findings:  CBC was normal.  Chemistry panel was not done because of money concerns.  Arterial blood gas was normal.

Radiographs/Ultrasound: Chest radiographs showed a mild interstitial pattern.

Questions:   

• In a fire, what types of by-products and respiratory injuries do you need to worry about?
• What are the clinical signs of smoke inhalation?
• What is the progression of signs/symptoms you see with respiratory damage over the next 2-3 days?
• Should chest radiographs be done on all patients with smoke inhalation?
• How would you treat a smoke inhalation patient?
• What complications do you need to watch for?

Answers and Discussion:

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Copyright Wayne E. Wingfield, DVM, and Brenda McClelland, DVM, Colorado State University, 2000. All rights reserved.
This page was last edited:  08/24/00