What is one key point that every veterinarian should know about caring for a patient with respiratory distress? April Blong, DVM, DACVECC: There are lots of causes of respiratory distress, but the vast majority of respiratory distress cases can be stabilized with low stress handling, oxygen and sedation. Don't overlook giving these animals some butorphanol...It doesn't matter the cause of respiratory distress. Every respiratory distress patient should be sedated. RELATED: Common causes of blunt force trauma in pets