Clinical findings in dogs with dynamic pharyngeal collapse

Pharyngeal collapse refers to complete or partial collapse of the pharynx with dorsal displacement of the soft palate or ventral deviation of the dorsal pharyngeal wall. Most information about pharyngeal collapse in dogs is anecdotal and extrapolated from human medicine. A single case report describing dynamic pharyngeal collapse in the cat has been published, but there is no literature describing this disease in dogs. Brachiocephalic dogs experiencing long-term negative pressure gradients associated with increased inspiratory upper airway resistance may develop pathologic changes of the pharyngeal dilator muscles and therefore are predisposed to pharyngeal collapse.
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research