Laryngeal paralysis in dogs : an update on recent knowledge

Laryngeal paralysis is the effect of an inability to abduct the arytenoid cartilages during inspiration, resulting in respiratory signs consistent with partial airway obstruction. The aetiology of the disease can be congenital (hereditary laryngeal paralysis or congenital polyneuropathy), or acquired (trauma, neoplasia, polyneuropathy, endocrinopathy). The most common form of acquired laryngeal paralysis (LP) is typically seen in old, large breed dogs and is a clinical manifestation of a generalised peripheral polyneuropathy recently referred to as geriatric onset laryngeal paralysis polyneuropathy. Diagnosing LP based on clinical signs, breed and history has a very high sensitivity (90%) and can be confirmed by laryngeal inspection. Prognosis after surgical correction depends on the aetiology: traumatic cases have a good prognosis, whereas tumour-induced or polyneuropathy-induced LP has a guarded prognosis. Acquired idiopathic LP is a slow progressive disease, with dogs reaching median survival times of 3-5 years after surgical correction

Intralaryngeal thyroarytaenoid lateralisation using the Fast-Fix 360 system : a canine cadaveric study

INTRODUCTION: Laryngeal paralysis is a condition in which failure of arytaenoid abduction results in a reduced rima glottidis cross-sectional area. The most commonly performed surgical techniques rely on unilateral abduction of the arytaenoid, requiring a lateral or ventral surgical approach to the larynx. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate a novel minimally invasive intralaryngeal thyroarytaenoid lateralisation technique, using the Fast-Fix 360 meniscal repair system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Larynges were harvested from large breed canine cadavers. With the aid of Kirschner wires placed between the centre of the vocal process and the centre of an imaginary line between the cranial thyroid fissure and the cricothyroid articulation, the mean insertion angle was calculated. RESULTS: The Fast-Fix 360 delivery needle inserted intralaryngeally (n=10), according to a simplified insertion angle (70°), resulted in thyroid penetration (>2.5 mm from margin) in all patients. The Fast-Fix was applied unilaterally at 70° with the first toggle fired on the lateral aspect of the thyroid cartilage and inside the laryngeal cavity on retraction. The suture was tightened. Preprocedural (61.06±9.21 mm2) and postprocedural (138.37±26.12 mm2) rima glottidis cross-sectional area was significantly different (P<0.0001). The mean percentage increase in rima glottidis cross-sectional area was 125.96 per cent (±16.54 per cent). CONCLUSION: Intralaryngeal thyroarytaenoid laterlisation using the Fast-Fix 360 meniscal repair system ex vivo increased the rima glottidis cross-sectional area significantly

Thymoma geassocieerde exfoliatieve dermatitis bij een kat

A 10-year-old male castrated European Shorthair was presented with signs of scaling, alopecia and pruritus. The dermatopathological examination demonstrated an interface dermatitis with a few apoptotic keratinocytes, a mural lymphocytic folliculitis and the absence of sebaceous glands. These skin changes are compatible with a paraneoplastic syndrome caused by a thymoma. A thoracic radiograph confirmed the presence of a mass in the cranial mediastinum. A sternal thoracotomy was performed. One large tumor and two smaller masses were removed. Histopathological examination of the masses revealed a lymphocyte-rich thymoma. Initially, the skin lesions improved significantly. A few weeks after surgery, there was a relapse of the exfoliative dermatitis, which regressed with a dexamethasone treatment. On the last follow-up consult, 6 months post-operatively, the cat was no longer administered any medication and only showed mild scaling and no pruritus

Intraluminale stents voor de behandeling van tracheacollaps bij de hond

Tracheal collapse is a progressive degenerative disease that can be symptomatically treated with medication and/or by surgical intervention This article reports 5 cases with serious dyspnea, exercise intolerance, syncope or cyanosis caused by tracheal collapse All clogs showed a poor quality of life despite medical treatment Enlargement of the tracheal lumen was achieved by the placement of an intraluminal prosthesis to support the collapsing trachea Observed complications after the placement of an intraluminal stent were attributed to inappropriately sized stents (development of granulation tissue, shortening with undersized diameter and recurrence when the trachea is only partly supported). Complications caused by intraluminal stems can be life threatening One patient died of tracheal obstruction by granulation tissue. The life quality of the other 4 patients improved considerably. 2 patients improved (mean follow-up 3 5 months) and 2 patients became asymptomatic (mean follow-up 9 months)

Palatoschisis in the dog: developmental mechanisms and etiology

Palatoschisis is a frequently occurring birth defect in man and domestic animals. It is caused by a failure of the elevation, apposition or fusion of the lateral palatine processes, resulting in the persistence of a slit-like opening between the oral and nasal cavities. Due to swallowing difficulties, this condition eventually leads to severe malnutrition and life-threatening aspiration pneumonia unless adequate treatment is provided. The formation of the palate is the result of a sequence of well-regulated steps. Palatoschisis can result from any interference with local cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, the aberrant production of mucopolysaccharides or interference with the active extension of the neck. It results from a single or combined action of genetic, mechanical and/or environmental teratogenic factors. The complex etiology of a cleft palate, its potential hereditary characteristics and possible association with other congenital defects should be carefully considered prior to any corrective therapy

Laparoscopic treatment of persistent inguinal haemorrhage after prescrotal orchiectomy in a dog

A one-year-old male Jack Russell terrier developed a prescrotal haematoma after elective orchiectomy. When surgical exploration failed to locate the responsible vessel and conservative therapy (applying a pressure bandage) was not successful in stabilising the dog, abdominal laparoscopy was performed. The haemorrhage originated from the spermatic cord in the inguinal canal bilaterally. After retracting the spermatic cord into the abdomen, haemostasis was performed using a vessel-sealing device. The prescrotal haematoma was removed and the dog made an uncomplicated recovery

Use of greater omentum in the surgical treatment of a synovial cyst in a cat

A 13-year-old cat was diagnosed with a synovial cyst originating from the glenohumeral joint. The cat presented with severe front limb lameness and a non-painful fluctuating swelling on the medial aspect of the humerus. Radiographic examination showed severe bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis with osteophyte formation. The mass was surgically resected and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of a synovial cyst. Three weeks postoperatively the cyst recurred. Surgical resection was repeated followed by omentalisation of the defect. Throughout the following 3 months the cyst did not recur. Unfortunately, for reasons unrelated to the presented disease, the cat was euthanized shortly afterwards, therefore making a long-term follow-up impossible

Total venous inflow occlusion and pericardial auto-graft reconstruction for right atrial hemangiosarcoma resection in a dog

A sizeable right atrial hemangiosarcoma in a 6-year-old Bordeaux dog, World Health Organization (WHO) stage 2, was excised using total venous inflow occlusion. The defect was restored with a non-vascularized pericardial auto-graft. The dog had a disease-free interval of 7 mo. The dog was euthanized 9 months later, at which time there were distant metastases but no indication of local recurrence