Veterinary Assistant Practice Exam 2026 - Free Veterinary Assistant Practice Questions and Study Guide

Tachypnea refers to an abnormally rapid respiratory rate. In both veterinary and human medicine, it is a term used to describe the condition where an individual exhibits an increased number of breaths per minute, which can be indicative of various underlying health issues. Increased respiratory rates can be caused by factors such as exercise, stress, pain, fever, or respiratory disease.

Understanding tachypnea is essential for veterinary assistants because it can signal that an animal may be experiencing difficulty breathing or distress. Monitoring an animal's respiratory rate is a critical component of assessing its health status, as deviations from normal rates can provide vital clues about the animal's condition.