Case Presentation by:  Tara Yerger, J.J. Goicoechea and David Haworth

Patient Profile: "Chip", a 12-year old, castrated male German Shepherd.

History: "Chip" presented to the emergency service on 9/23.   He was in severe respiratory distress and making a loud inspiratory noise.

Physical Examination:  Temp = 107 F!  Heart rate = 160/minute.  Pulse rate = 160/minute.  Respiratory rate = 90 breaths/minute.  Body weight = 49 kg. "Chip" was depressed and staggered as he walked.   Abdomen palpated normally.  No murmurs were heard.  However, lung sounds were very harsh.

Laboratory Findings:  Lymphopenia (200/uL) and thrombocytopenia (171,000/uL).  Potassium = 3.4 meq/L. 

Thoracic Radiographs:

Questions:

• What underlying problems can cause laryngeal paralysis?
• What emergency treatments would you do for "Chip"?
• Although not evident in this case, what historical complaints do you usually hear from owners of patients with laryngeal paralysis?
• What radiographic findings do you see?
• What surgical technique is commonly used to treat laryngeal paralysis and what complications do you need to watch for after surgery?

Answers and Discussion:

Return to Introduction:

Copyright Wayne E. Wingfield, DVM and Brenda McClelland, DVM, Colorado State University, 2000. All rights reserved.
This page was last edited:  03/01/00