Veterinary Clinical Medicine-I (General and Systemic)

DISEASES OF THE LARYNX

Laryngitis

Laryngitis, an inflammation of the mucosa or cartilages of the larynx, may result from upper respiratory tract infection or by direct irritation from inhalation of dust, smoke, or irritating gas; foreign bodies; or the trauma of intubation, excess vocalization, or in livestock, by injury from roping or restraint devices. Laryngitis may accompany infectious bronchitis in horses. Edema is seen.

• Laryngeal chondropathy is a suppurative condition of the cartilage matrix that principally affects the arytenoid cartilages; it is believed to result from microbial infection. Initially, there is often acute laryngeal inflammation. Later, there is progressive enlargement of the cartilages that commonly results in a fixed upper airway obstruction with stertorous breathing and reduced exercise tolerance.
• Clinical Signs: Harsh dry cough initially and soft, moist painful later on. Cough can be induced by pressure on the larynx, exposure to cold or dusty air, swallowing coarse food or cold water, and attempts to administer medicines.
• Diagnosis: clinical signs, laryngoscopy.
• Treatment: Tracheotomy tube, NSAIDs and corticosteroids, systemic antibiotics, diuretic drugs, tx of primary disease, avoidance of causes.
• Laryngeal paralysis middle aged to older, large breeds of dogs – dry cough, voice changes, noisy breathing, stridor and collapse. Diagnosi: Laryngoscopy. Traetment- Surgical.