Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Acquired bilateral laryngeal paralysis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in a dog.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
- Year:
- 2012
- Authors:
- Kvitko-White, Heather et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old spayed female Labrador retriever was brought to the vet because she was having trouble breathing. After examining her and running some tests, the vet found that she had a condition called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which was causing her larynx (the voice box) to not work properly. The dog received treatment to help suppress her immune system and support her recovery, and she was able to breathe normally again. When she returned for a check-up six weeks later, the vet confirmed that her laryngeal function was back to normal. This case is notable because it's the first time laryngeal paralysis linked to SLE has been reported in dogs.
Abstract
A 4 yr old spayed female Labrador retriever was referred for acute respiratory distress and was found to have bilateral laryngeal paralysis. Physical examination and biochemical testing were consistent with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and did not reveal a likely alternative cause for the laryngeal paralysis. Following immunosuppressive and supportive treatment, the dog regained normal laryngeal function. At a scheduled follow-up examination 6 wk later, normal laryngeal function was confirmed via sedated laryngeal examination. Laryngeal paralysis associated with SLE has been reported in humans, but this is the first known report of acquired laryngeal paralysis associated with SLE in the dog.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22186720/