Laryngeal paralysis is failure of the arytenoid cartilages to open (abduct) the glottis during inspiration, so the airway narrows each time the dog breathes in. It is common in older large-breed dogs, in which it is usually the first sign of a slowly progressive generalized polyneuropathy (geriatric onset laryngeal paralysis polyneuropathy, GOLPP). It matters because a hot or excited dog can obstruct its airway completely, and because the standard surgery trades the airway problem for a lifelong risk of aspiration pneumonia.
Key facts
Laryngeal paralysis at a glance- Species and system: dog (rare in cats); upper respiratory tract, with a neuromuscular cause.
- Typical patient: middle-aged to older large or giant breed, classically a Labrador retriever; Irish setters and Great Danes are also named by Merck.
- Cause: dysfunction of the recurrent laryngeal nerves, which supply the cricoarytenoideus dorsalis (CAD), the only abductor of the arytenoid. Most acquired cases are idiopathic and part of GOLPP.
- Classic presentation: progressive inspiratory stridor, a hoarse or changed bark, exercise and heat intolerance, gagging or coughing when eating or drinking, and in a crisis cyanosis and collapse.
- Key test: laryngoscopy under a light plane of anaesthesia showing absent or paradoxical arytenoid motion on inspiration.
- Zoonotic or reportable: neither.
What's inside
11 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 16 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.