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Addisons Disease
Allergies Anesthesia Cancer Digestive
Disorders Elbow
Dysplasia Eye
Problems Heart
Disease Hernia Hip
Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Kidney/Liver Laryngeal
Paralysis Missing
Teeth Osteochondrosis
Dissecans (OCD) Panosteitis Perianal
Fistulas Polyneuropathy Reproduction Temperament
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Laryngeal Paralysis
| What
is it? | The larynx
(sometimes called the voice box) is a muscular and cartilaginous structure that
connects the pharynx (throat) and the trachea (windpipe). This is the area of
the vocal chords, which are muscular structures within the airway that vibrate
when air passes by them producing sound. Laryngeal paralysis refers to the failure
of the laryngeal cartilages to open during inspiration, creating a partial or
complete upper airway obstruction. Most commonly this is caused by dysfunction
of the nerve (recurrant laryngeal) that controls the muscles of the larynx. This
may be secondary to a disease that affects many nerves of the body (polyneuropathy)
or a traumatic event that affects just the region of the throat. Generalized neuromuscular
or muscular disease can also result in laryngeal paralysis. |
| Symptoms: | Except
in the event of a traumatic cause, most cases of LP are slowly progessive. The
first sign would be a vague change in the quality of the bark. This will progress
to noisy breathing sometimes referred to as "roaring", even at rest;
inspiratory dyspnea (difficulty breathing in); and stridor (loud breathing or
coughing). Cyanosis, a blue tinge to the tongue due to lack of oxygen, may also
be present. A dog with these symptoms is predisposed to a life-threatening collapse,
asphyxiation and death. Aspiration pneumonia can also occir. The signs of LP are
often made worse by exercise, hot and humid weather and obesity. |
| Diagnosis: | Along
with the clinical signs, diagnosis of LP is confirmed by direct visualization
of the laryngeal muscle function during inspiration. This is done under heavy
sedation or light anesthesia. | | Treatment: |
In the case of an emergency, procedures such
as sedation, oxygen and anti-inflammatories and even tracheotomy may be applied
to stabilize the dog. Permanant correction can only be realized by surgery. An
arytenoid lateralization (or "tie back") is a procedure that uses sutures
to hold the laryngeal portion of the airway open. Depending on the severity of
the paralysis, one or both sides of the larynx may be sutured. Most dogs will
need to be hopitalized for a few days following the surgery due to the potential
for aspiration and laryngeal swelling. It is best to then keep the dog in as cool
and calm an environment as possible for recuperation and to avoid aspiration in
the future. It is very importand, also to avoid excessive weight gain. |
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