Acute Upper Airway Obstruction Due to Inflammatory Laryngeal Disease in 5 Cats

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Abstract
Objective:To describe a clinical syndrome of upper airway obstruction in 5 cats due to inflammatory laryngeal disease.Series Summary:Medical records of 5 cats with upper airway obstruction and a histopathologic diagnosis of inflammatory laryngeal disease were reviewed. Historical findings included: dyspnea, anorexia, voice change, and gagging/non‐productive retching. Thoracic radiographs revealed a bronchial pattern in 2 cats, with consolidation of the right middle lung lobe in one cats. Laryngeal examinations typically revealed severe swelling and erythema which could not be grossly distinguished from neoplasia. Histopathologic examination of laryngeal biopsies revealed neutrophilic (n=5) and lymphoplasmacytic (n=4) inflammation. All of the cats were treated with corticosteroids and 4 cats received antibiotics. Two cats died while hospitalized, one was discharged and lost to follow‐up, and 2 are doing well 7 months and 4 years later, respectively.New information provided:Inflammatory laryngeal disease in cats may present as an acute upper airway obstruction. These cases may respond to corticosteroids and antibiotics, and some cases may have an excellent long‐term prognosis.(J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2001; 11(3): 205–211)

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