On physical examination, thoracic auscultation typically reveals a prolonged expiratory phase of respiration and adventitious respiratory noises. Wheezes are most pronounced during expiration, and crackles are associated with the excessive mucus production<ref name="eight" />. However, the airways are so obstructed in some severely affected animals that there is insufficient air movement to generate audible breath sounds, and the lungs are very quiet on auscultation<ref name="one" />. In mildly affected horses a rebreathing bag can be used to aid auscultation, but this should never be performed in dyspnoeic animals<ref name="one" /><ref name="six" />. There may be an increased sensitivity of the cough reflex on tracheal compression. | On physical examination, thoracic auscultation typically reveals a prolonged expiratory phase of respiration and adventitious respiratory noises. Wheezes are most pronounced during expiration, and crackles are associated with the excessive mucus production<ref name="eight" />. However, the airways are so obstructed in some severely affected animals that there is insufficient air movement to generate audible breath sounds, and the lungs are very quiet on auscultation<ref name="one" />. In mildly affected horses a rebreathing bag can be used to aid auscultation, but this should never be performed in dyspnoeic animals<ref name="one" /><ref name="six" />. There may be an increased sensitivity of the cough reflex on tracheal compression. |