Journal of Veterinary Clinics (한국임상수의학회지)

The Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics (한국임상수의학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

A Rare Case of Acute Obstructive Laryngitis in a Cat with Severe Respiratory Distress

  • Hyeona Bae (College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Dongbin Lee (College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • DoHyeon Yu (College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University)
  • Received : 2023.01.31
  • Accepted : 2023.03.20
  • Published : 2023.04.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

A 5-year-old neutered male domestic short-haired cat presented with acute dyspnea characterized by open-mouth breathing and stridor for 2 days. Direct visualization via laryngoscopy revealed diffuse laryngeal swelling and severe thickening of the vocal folds bilaterally; thus, the upper respiratory tract was obstructed owing to severe edema. Neutrophil infiltration was found on fine needle aspiration of the larynx cytology, and no discrete mass with polyp or neoplasia was identified on diagnostic imaging. The cat was diagnosed with acute obstructive laryngitis, and a tracheostomy tube was immediately installed. After 17 days of treatment with steroids, doxycycline and azithromycin, the swollen larynx gradually improved, and there was no recurrence of laryngitis or respiratory obstruction. A feline upper respiratory polymerase chain reaction panel revealed Mycoplasma felis infection; however, it could not be determined whether it was pathogenic or opportunistic. Herein, we report a case of obstructive laryngitis in a cat. When respiratory obstruction due to acute laryngitis is identified, a good prognosis is expected with rapid and appropriate treatment.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (NRF-2020R1C1C1008675), and by Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture and Forestry (IPET) through Companion Animal Life Cycle Industry Technology Development Program, funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) (322092-04-1-HD030).

References

  1. Costello MF, Keith D, Hendrick M, King L. Acute upper airway obstruction due to inflammatory laryngeal disease in 5 cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2001; 11: 205-210. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-4431.2001.tb00085.x
  2. Guenther-Yenke CL, Rozanski EA. Tracheostomy in cats: 23 cases (1998-2006). J Feline Med Surg 2007; 9: 451-457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfms.2007.06.002
  3. Harvey CE, O'Brien JA. Surgical treatment of miscellaneous laryngeal conditions in dogs and cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1982; 18: 557-562.
  4. Jakubiak MJ, Siedlecki CT, Zenger E, Matteucci ML, Bruskiewicz KA, Rohn DA, et al. Laryngeal, laryngotracheal, and tracheal masses in cats: 27 cases (1998-2003). J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2005; 41: 310-316. https://doi.org/10.5326/0410310
  5. Lam A, Beatty J, Moore L, Foster D, Brain P, Churcher R, et al. Laryngeal disease in 69 cats: a retrospective multicentre study. Aust Vet Pract 2012; 42: 321-326.
  6. MacPhail CM. Laryngeal disease in dogs and cats: an update. Vet Clin North Small Anim Pract 2020; 50: 295-310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2019.11.001
  7. Stepnik MW, Mehl ML, Hardie EM, Kass PH, Reimer SB, Campbell BG, et al. Outcome of permanent tracheostomy for treatment of upper airway obstruction in cats: 21 cases (1990-2007). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2009; 234: 638-643. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.234.5.638
  8. Tasker S, Foster DJ, Corcoran BM, Whitbread TJ, Kirby BM. Obstructive inflammatory laryngeal disease in three cats. J Feline Med Surg 1999; 1: 53-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1098-612X(99)90010-4
  9. Taylor SS, Harvey AM, Barr FJ, Moore AH, Day MJ. Laryngeal disease in cats: a retrospective study of 35 cases. J Feline Med Surg 2009; 11: 954-962. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfms.2009.04.007
  10. Venker-van Haagen AJ. Diseases of the larynx. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1992; 22: 1155-1172. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0195-5616(92)50307-2