Cricoarytenoid joint ankylosis in four miniature English bull terriers

Abstract

AbstractThis short case series describes four young adult miniature English bull terriers that presented with dyspnoea and marked inspiratory stridor as a consequence of cricoarytenoid joint ankylosis. Upper airway examinations in all four dogs documented absent abduction of the arytenoid cartilages bilaterally and a narrow rima glottis. Arytenoid lateralisation was attempted in all four dogs, but there was no increase in the cross‐sectional area of the rima glottis in any dog due to an apparent ankylosis of the cricoarytenoid joint. Three dogs were successfully managed with permanent tracheostomy (with minor post‐operative complications encountered in one dog and major post‐operative complications encountered in another), but the owner of the fourth dog elected for euthanasia.