Recognition of Airway Obstruction:
Commonly caused by collars, bite wounds, trauma, and gunshot injury; airway obstruction may occur from blood clots, edema, foreign debris, tissue debris, and secretions
Typical signs include labored inspiration, stridor, cyanosis; evidence of aspiration pneumonitis may also be present.
Management of Airway Obstruction
Clear the airway!
Oxygen
Needle tracheostomy or tracheostomy tube
Cat with a fractured mandible
and subligual edema leading to airway obstruction.
Return to Airway Obstruction