Respiratory complications in the critically ill animal.

Respiratory dysfunction in a critically ill animal is a life-threatening complication that often presents a challenge to patient management. In the critical care setting, the most severe respiratory complications include nosocomial pneumonia, pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Successful treatment of acute respiratory failure, although difficult, can be enhanced by recognition of predisposing factors, knowledge of underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms, and early prophylactic and therapeutic intervention.