Clinical Library - Improve Veterinary Education UK

Webinar: How can I help the dyspnoeic patient?

Written by Simon Tappin MA VetMB CertSAM DipECVIM-CA FRCVS | 11 February 2026

Picture this: It's a busy day, the senior vet is on holiday, and a dyspnoeic cat comes in. Do you panic? Or do you know what you can do to help? Do you rush them to oxygen, try to place a cannula, attempt a conscious x-ray? What if you're on-call and the first to get to the practice? Or the vet is out on a visit and a patient in hospital deteriorates?

This free webinar is aimed at veterinary nurses, but it's also useful for boosting confidence for anybody working in veterinary practice. Whether you're a veterinary nurse, a student, or an early-graduate vet, knowing how to help veterinary patients with breathing difficulties is essential.

You will learn:

  • The common causes of dyspnoea 
  • Initial management of dyspnoeic patients
  • Triage, evaluation and assessment of animals with breathing difficulties
  • Emergency treatment of the dyspnoeic patient

Your speaker:

Dr Simon Tappin FRCVS is a European and RCVS recognised Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine with a particular interest in critical care.