Signalment, Clinical Presentation, Concurrent Diseases, and Diagnostic Findings in 28 Dogs with Dynamic Pharyngeal Collapse (2008–2013)

• Published in: Journal of veterinary internal medicine 2015-05, Vol.29 (3), p.815-821
• Main Authors: Rubin, J.A., Holt, D.E., Reetz, J.A., Clarke, D.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Airway management; Anatomy and pathology; Animals; Archives & records; Bronchi; Bronchus; Cough - etiology; Cough - veterinary; Dog Diseases - diagnosis; Dog Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Dog Diseases - pathology; Dogs; Edema; Female; Fluoroscopy; Fluoroscopy - veterinary; Functionally gradient materials; Larynx; Male; Medical records; Mouth; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Pharyngeal Diseases - diagnosis; Pharyngeal Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Pharyngeal Diseases - pathology; Pharyngeal Diseases - veterinary; Pharynx; Pharynx - diagnostic imaging; Pharynx - physiopathology; Physiology; Population studies; Pressure gradients; Pulmonary; Radiology; Respiration; Respiratory system; Respiratory tract; Retrospective Studies; Sleep apnea; Studies; Trachea; Trachea - diagnostic imaging; Trachea - physiopathology; Tracheal collapse; Veterinary medicine
• ISSN: 0891-6640; 1939-1676
• DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12598

Background Most information about pharyngeal collapse in dogs is anecdotal and extrapolated from human medicine. A single case report describing dynamic pharyngeal collapse in a cat has been published, but there is no literature describing this disease process in dogs. Objective To describe the signalment, clinical presentation, concurrent disease processes, and imaging findings of a population of client‐owned dogs with pharyngeal collapse. Animals Twenty‐eight client‐owned dogs with pharyngeal collapse. Methods Radiology reports of dogs for which fluoroscopy of the respiratory system was performed were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with a fluoroscopic diagnosis of pharyngeal collapse were included in the study population. Data regarding clinical signs, diagnostic, and pathologic findings were evaluated. Results Twenty‐eight dogs met the inclusion criteria. The median age of affected patients was 6.6 years, whereas median body condition score was 7/9. The most common clinical signs were coughing (n = 20) and stertor (n = 5). In 27 of 28 cases, a concurrent or previously diagnosed cardiopulmonary disorder was detected. The most common concurrent disease processes were mainstem bronchi collapse (n = 18), tracheal collapse (n = 17), and brachycephalic airway syndrome (n = 8). Fluoroscopy identified complete pharyngeal collapse in 20 of 28 dogs. Conclusions Pharyngeal collapse is a complex disease process that likely is secondary to long‐term negative pressure gradients and anatomic and functional abnormalities. Based on the findings of this study, pharyngeal fluoroscopy may be useful diagnostic test in patients with suspected tracheal and mainstem bronchial collapse to identify concurrent pharyngeal collapse.