Airway Medicine

Nasal problems

Nasal disease is relative ly common in dogs and cats. A variety of bacterial, vidral and fungal infections can be involves, as can foreign bodies (sticks and blades of grass are common nasal foreign bodies) and tumours. Investigation usually requires a combination of diagnostic methods. Problems deep within the nasal cavity and sinuses are particularly difficult.

Nasal aspergillosis, a very unpleasant and destructive fungal infection is seen in dogs of any age, though it is more common in the young to middle age group. Once a diagnosis has been made, appropriate medication has to be applied into the nasal cavity during anaesthesia in order to kill the fungus.

Endoscopic removal of intranasal foreign bodies is preferred when the foreign material can be visaualised and adequately accessed using either a rigid or flexible endoscope. Occasionally a full surgical approach is necessary.

This stick was also removed from a dog's nose endoscopically.

Larynx and pharynx

There are many medical and surgical conditions affecting the pharyngeal region. Most infections are acute short term problems some of which require no treatment, just time to resolve, whilst others need intensive therapy. Degenerative problems such as laryngeal collapse tend to require surgery.

Lower airway disease