Laryngeal paralysis secondary to cervical bite injuries in five dogs.

CASE HISTORIES: Medical records of a veterinary hospital in Belgium were reviewed for dogs (n = 5) that presented between 2016 and 2019 with laryngeal paralysis secondary to bite wounds to the cervical region received while fighting with other dogs. The time elapsed between the trauma and presentation was from a few hours up to 5 days. CLINICAL FINDINGS AND TREATMENT: Bilateral laryngeal paralysis was identified in three dogs and unilateral laryngeal paralysis in two dogs via endoscopic assessment of laryngeal function. The primary concomitant lesions included tracheal injury in 3/5 dogs and oesophageal injury in 1/5 dogs. One dog with bilateral laryngeal paralysis was treated medically as no signs of dyspnoea were present. Surgical management was elected in 4/5 dogs based on evaluation of their clinical status and lesions revealed by endoscopic examination of upper gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Dogs underwent surgical procedures that were determined to be appropriate for treatment of the lesions identified on clinical examination, diagnostic imaging, and endoscopy. The cervical region was explored through a ventral midline approach in 2/4 cases, to close tracheal perforations. Temporary tracheostomy was performed in 2/4 cases. Procedures to correct brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome were performed in 2/4 cases. Cricoarytenoid lateralisation was performed in 2/4 dogs. Dogs were hospitalised for 2-10 days and received antimicrobial therapy before surgery and for 2-3 weeks after surgery. Physical examination and respiratory function were normal in 3/5 dogs 4-6 months after discharge. Information regarding outcomes for two cases was obtained from the owners by telephone assessment 1-6 months after surgery. The owner of each dog reported the respiratory function to be excellent. DIAGNOSIS: Uni- or bilateral, transient or permanent laryngeal paralysis with concomitant oesophageal, tracheal, or laryngeal lesions following cervical dog bite injuries diagnosed by endoscopic examination of upper gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This case series describes the diagnosis and management of dogs with laryngeal paralysis secondary to cervical dog bite injuries. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published report documenting bilateral laryngeal paralysis secondary to cervical dog bite injuries. Clinicians should be aware of this pathology and the importance of investigating laryngeal function in dogs presenting with cervical bites, particularly those with inspiratory dyspnoea. Upper airway and digestive endoscopy are recommended for complete assessment of cervical traumatic injuries.

Recurrent Obstructive Fibrinous Tracheal Pseudomembranes in a Young English Bulldog.

Endotracheal intubation is a common procedure, rarely associated with life-threatening complications (e.g., tracheal rupture, necrosis, foreign body). A 1.5-year-old English Bulldog was presented for respiratory distress, with increased respiratory efforts and stridor, 2 days after endotracheal intubation. Cervical and thoracic radiographs disclosed a severe narrowing of the tracheal lumen associated with an intraluminal soft-tissue structure at the thoracic inlet. Tracheoscopy confirmed the presence of an obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane (OFTP) creating a 1-way valve obstruction. Removal of the OFTP dramatically improved the dog's respiratory function, but the lesion reformed twice despite corticosteroid and antibiotic therapy PO, warranting repeated endoscopic removal of the OFTP. No additional recurrences were observed after treatment with inhaled heparin and N-acetylcysteine q4h. No respiratory signs were reported 9 months after discharge. Postintubation OFTP has been reported rarely in humans and never described in dogs. Unexplained signs of upper airway obstruction shortly after endotracheal intubation should prompt consideration of OFTP in dogs, even if intubation was uneventful. Unlike its counterpart in humans, OFTP in dogs can reoccur after endoscopic removal, warranting repeated endoscopic extraction. A combination of corticosteroid therapy PO and heparin and N-acetylcysteine inhalation q4h may be attempted if recurrence is observed.

Serial Evaluation of Abdominal Fluid and Serum Amino-terminal pro-C-type Natriuretic Peptide in Dogs with Septic Peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: Serum N-terminal pro-C-natriuretic peptide (NT-proCNP) has shown promise as a diagnostic biomarker for sepsis. Its sensitivity to detect dogs with septic peritonitis (SP) is reportedly low, perhaps attributable to the compartmentalization of NT-proCNP in the abdominal cavity. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the use of an ELISA for the measurement of NT-proCNP in canine abdominal fluid and to describe the peri-operative pattern of abdominal fluid and serum NT-proCNP concentrations in dogs with SP. ANIMALS: Five client-owned dogs with nonseptic abdominal effusion of varying etiologies and 12 client-owned dogs with SP undergoing abdominal surgery and placement of a closed-suction abdominal drain (CSAD). Six dogs were included upon hospital admission; 6 were included the day after surgery. METHODS: Prospective pilot study. A commercially available ELISA kit was analytically validated for use on canine abdominal fluid. The NT-proCNP concentrations were measured in the abdominal fluid of control dogs, and in serum and abdominal fluid of dogs with SP from admission for CSAD removal. RESULTS: In dogs with SP, admission abdominal fluid NT-proCNP concentrations were lower than the concurrent serum concentrations (P = 0.031), and lower than control canine abdominal fluid concentrations (P = 0.015). Postoperatively, abdominal fluid NT-proCNP concentrations remained lower than serum concentrations (P < 0.050), except on day 4. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The ELISA kit was able to measure NT-proCNP in canine abdominal fluid. In dogs with SP, low serum NT-proCNP concentrations cannot be explained by abdominal compartmentalization.