Laryngeal disease in 69 cats : a retrospective multicentre study

In cats with upper respiratory disease, localisation to the larynx can often be based on the history and physical examination findings. This study was undertaken to identify the aetiology of laryngeal disease in cats presented to clinics in the Sydney area and collate the signalment, clinical findings, diagnostic results, treatment and outcome. A second objective was to examine whether noninvasive diagnostic techniques were sufficient to determine a diagnoses or whether invasive techniques were required, and what morbidity this posed. Laryngeal paralysis and neoplasia were most frequent in this case series, accounting for 75% of cases. Inflammatory disease was the next most frequent. Burmese cats were the most frequent breed with laryngeal inflammation. The outcome for cats with laryngeal disease was dependent upon the aetiology. Cats with acute laryngitis generally recovered. Cats with laryngeal paralysis often had extended survival times with treatment. Cats with laryngeal carcinoma had the worst outcome. Non-invasive diagnostic techniques such as radiography, ultrasonography and computed tomography were not helpful in identifying the aetiology of laryngeal disease. Diagnostic procedures for laryngeal disease that required general anaesthesia such as laryngoscopy, fine needle aspiration and biopsy were required to make a diagnosis. These techniques were not associated with deterioration of the cats' condition and are not contraindicated in cats with subacute or chronic disease.