Dyspnea caused by epiglottic retroversion in two dogs.
METHODS
An 8-year-old castrated male Boxer and a 10-year-old spayed female Yorkshire Terrier were evaluated because of dyspnea. In both dogs, the dyspnea persisted after elongated soft palate resection.


RESULTS
Laryngoscopic examination revealed caudal displacement of the epiglottis into the rima glottidis in both dogs. Excessive mobility of the epiglottis during respiration with episodic obstruction of the rima glottidis by the epiglottis was observed during fluoroscopic examination.


RESULTS
The epiglottis of both dogs was fixed in a horizontal plane by resection of a band of oral mucosa at the base of the epiglottis and closure of the mucosal defect with sutures. Fixation of the epiglottis resolved the dyspnea in both dogs.


CONCLUSIONS
Excessive mobility of the epiglottis can predispose to glottic obstruction and cause dyspnea in dogs. Fixation of the epiglottis in a horizontal plane may resolve dyspnea caused by epiglottic retroversion in dogs.
Flanders
James A
JA
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA. jaf7@cornell.edu
Thompson
Margret S
MS
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004825:Epiglottis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography