An RR of 10 bpm or fewer is considered
bradypnoea and indicative of respiratory depression.
The key findings were rapidly progressive
bradypnoea leading to apnoea due to loss of respiratory effect.
A 68-year-old woman presented with stupor (Glasgow coma score 11/15), severe sinus bradycardia (36 beats/minute) and
bradypnoea (6 breaths/minute), after being bed-bound for a prolonged period owing to extreme lethargy.
Following induction, the birds were transported to the clinic, where a venous blood gas sample was taken for analysis, which indicated a respiratory acidosis, with a mean arterial pCO2 of 54.46 mmHg (SD 9.31) and venous pH of 7.135 (SD 0.11), most likely due to moderate
bradypnoea. Atipamezole 0.2 mg/kg i.v.
PSG findings resemble central apnoea with protracted expiratory
bradypnoea without oxygen desaturation.