Vets Lobby

Signalment & History

A 6-year-old male Labrador Retriever weighing 30 kg is presented with sudden onset respiratory distress. The dog is anxious, tachypnoeic, using abdominal effort to breathe, and prefers to stand rather than lie down. Mucous membranes are pale pink, and handling appears to worsen the respiratory effort.

Q1. What is the MOST appropriate FIRST step in managing this dyspnoeic dog?