Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

5. Ventilation. Once the object is dislodged, check for breathing and heart
rate; administer artificial respiration and CPR if necessary. When the
dog revives, proceed to the veterinary hospital for further treatment.
LARYNGOSPASM (REVERSE SNEEZING)
This uncommon condition can be alarming because it sounds as if the dog
can’t catch her breath. During an attack, the dog produces a loud snorting
noise caused by violent attempts to draw in air. This may occur several times
in succession. After the attack, the dog appears completely normal.
Reverse sneezing is believed to be caused by a temporary spasm of the muscles
of the larynx, possibly the result of a drop of mucus that falls on the vocal
cords from the soft palate. The attack can be ended by making the dog swallow.
This is accomplished by massaging the front of the neck in the region of
the pharynx just beneath the jaw. Alternatively, place your hand over the
dog’s nostrils for an instant.
If the attack does not stop and the dog collapses, suspect a foreign body in
the larynx. Reverse sneezing is commonly seen in Corgis and Beagles. (See
Choking, page 316.)
LARYNGEAL PARALYSIS (VOCAL CORD PARALYSIS)
THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM • 317
This is an acquired disease that occurs in older dogs of the large and giant
breeds, particularly Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters, St.
Bernards, and Great Pyrenees. In Siberian Huskies, Bouviers des Flandres,
Bull Terriers, and Dalmatians it occurs as a hereditary defect. In these breeds,
dogs with this problem should not be bred.
Laryngeal paralysis results from damage to the nerves that control the
movement of the larynx. Trauma and age may be factors. Hypothyroidism
may also contribute to this problem.
A classic sign of laryngeal paralysis is a characteristic croupy or “roaring”
noise heard as the dog inhales. Initially it appears during or after exercise.
Later it occurs at rest. Another sign is progressive weakening of the bark,
which ends in a croaky whisper. In time the dog develops noisy breathing,
labored breathing, reduced exercise tolerance, and fainting spells. Laryngeal
edema may develop and further compromise the airway, causing respiratory
collapse and even death.
The diagnosis is made by examining the vocal cords with a laryngoscope.
Paralyzed vocal cords come together in the middle instead of remaining well
apart. This produces a tight air passage through the larynx.
Treatment: A number of surgical procedures have been used to enlarge the
airway. The technique used most often involves removing both the vocal
cords and their supporting cartilage. This relieves the obstruction, but the dog