Neurological laryngeal paralysis in the dog

Authors: Burbidge H
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 39, Issue 3, pp 114, Sep 1991
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Companion animal, Dog
Subject Terms: Ear/nose/throat, Disease/defect, Nervous system/neurology, Respiratory system, Surgery
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: It is always satisfying to attempt to explain the clinical signs of a disease from the altered physiology that occurs. In the article Neurogenic laryngeal paralysis in the dog the clinical signs of laryngeal stridor, increased respiratory rate and exercise intolerance could be explained as follows: Paralysis of the laryngeal muscle supplied by the recurrent laryngeal nerves results in the arytenoid cartilages and vocal cords assuming an adducted position on the affected side or sides. This is caused by the action of the cricothyroid muscle supplied by the cranial laryngeal nerves. This results in a narrowing of the rima glottidis. At rest, the requirements for air are small, and therefore no clinical signs may be observed. However, in severe cases the rima glottidis becomes a narrow slitlike opening and the speed of air passing through this restriction must therefore increase in…

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