Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Breathing blockage from tonsil polyp in bulldog case
By Gabriel, Leah et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2021·VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Respiratory obstruction due to tonsillar lymphoglandular polyp in a brachycephalic dog: a case report.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-month-old male English bulldog was brought to the emergency vet for severe breathing problems and was found to have two large, inflamed masses in his throat. The vet used a special laser to remove these masses, which were identified as benign lymphoglandular polyps. After the surgery, the dog recovered well and was able to breathe normally again. He was sent home the next day and has remained healthy for a year since the treatment.
People also search for: bulldog breathing problems · tonsil surgery for dogs · dog respiratory distress treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Respiratory distress is one of the most common afflictions of brachycephalic dogs. Dogs in respiratory distress usually present to the emergency service with a constellation of clinical signs including but not limited to: stertorous breathing, dyspnea, gagging, cyanotic mucus membranes, hyperthermia, and commonly a history of gastrointestinal signs. While Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome is the most common cause of respiratory distress in dogs with brachycephalic conformation, any condition eliciting an inflammatory response in the oropharynx, can result in obstruction. There is no previous report of respiratory obstruction leading to emergency tonsillectomy caused by tonsillar polyps. CASE PRESENTATION: A 9-month-old male intact English bulldog presented to the emergency service in severe respiratory distress. Due to continued severe dyspnea and cyanosis the patient was induced with propofol (Propofol, Hospira) 4 mg/kg intravenously titrated to effect and tracheal intubation performed. Intubation was noted to be difficult due the presence of two, large, inflamed masses in the oropharynx region. The remainder of his physical exam was unremarkable. Minimum database blood work and chest radiographs revealed only minor abnormalities. The patient was placed under anesthesia and the masses were transected sharply using a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser (Aesculight, Bothell, WA, USA). Anesthesia and recovery were uneventful, and the patient was discharged the following day. Histopathology results of the masses revealed them to be benign lymphoglandular polyps. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of bilateral tonsillar polyps causing life-threatening respiratory obstruction in a dog. Both masses were excised safely and completely with the CO2 laser. Difficulties inherent to oropharyngeal surgery include the hemorrhage, small working space, tissue swelling and difficult visualization. Surgical excision of these polyps alleviated all emergent and chronic clinical signs, and the patient's remains healthy 12-months post-treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34863171/