Idiopathic Acquired Laryngeal Paralysis Flashcards
1
Q
What are the normal arytenoid cartilage movements?
A
Inspiration – cartilages are abducted
Expiration – cartilages are adducted (air break)
Expiration at exercise – cartilages are abducted
2
Q
What is the aetiology associated with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis?
A
- Neurogenic atrophy of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles
- Dysfunction of the recurrent laryngeal nerves
- Generalised peripheral neuropathy involving long and large diameter nerve fibres
- Central nervous system origin
- Hypothyroidism (?)
3
Q
What clinical signs are associated with idiopathic acquired laryngeal paralysis?
A
- Stridor
- Cough
- Dyspnoea
- Change in phonation (bark)
- Exercise intolerance
- Collapse
- Signs are related to the severity of the paralysis present
- Most dogs present late in the course of the disease
- Clinical signs worse when the dog is hot, excited and exercised
4
Q
How is it diagnosed?
A
- Characteristic clinical signs
- Auscultation of the larynx and the thorax
- Laryngoscopy (under a light plane of general anaesthesia)
- Straight-bladed laryngoscope (Miller)
- Survey inflated radiographs of the thorax
- Neurological examination
- Routine haematology and blood biochemistries
- Thyroid function testing?
5
Q
How should a case be managed in an emergency?
A
- Rest (calm – both dog and owner)
- Supplemental oxygen
- Cooling
- Sedation
- Intravenous access
- Intravenous corticosteroids (?)
- Anaesthetise => tracheostomy tube placement (?)
6
Q
How can it be managed?
A
Surgery - arytenoid lateralisation (tieback)
