Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with noisy breathing and nasal blockage from soft palate defect
By Talavera Lopez, Jesus et al.·Published in Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)·2009·Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Nasopharyngeal stenosis secondary to soft palate dysgenesis in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat with breathing problems was brought in because it was making strange noises and having difficulty breathing through its nose. The vet found that the cat had a condition where the soft palate was not formed correctly, causing a blockage in the throat. Although surgery was not recommended, the cat remained stable and showed only mild breathing issues 17 months later.
People also search for: cat breathing problems · soft palate issues in cats · cat nasal discharge treatment
Abstract
This report is the first description of soft palate dysgenesis inducing nasopharyngeal stenosis in a cat. The symptomatology included continuous stertorous respiration and changes in phonation. Open-mouth breathing, seromucous nasal discharge and sneezing were intermittently present. On physical examination the cat showed a respiratory pattern characteristic of upper airway disease, with stridor, increased inspiratory effort and severe bilateral obstruction of nasal passages to the airflow. Pharyngo-laryngoscopic evaluation showed an abnormal conformation of the soft palate that appeared attached to the caudal and lateral pharyngeal wall and stretched the whole length of the pharynx. A strip of soft tissue emanated from the caudal part of the hard palate to the right aspect of the base of the tongue. Caudal to this strip of tissue, the intrapharyngeal opening was stenosed, therefore preventing normal airflow. Surgical reconstruction was not recommended. The cat was clinically stable with mild respiratory symptoms 17 months after the diagnosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18417393/