The veterinary journal
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The veterinary journal · Jan 1997
Tracheolaryngostomy as a treatment for laryngeal obstruction in cattle.
Inspiratory dyspnoea may be the result of chronic laryngeal obstruction or, rarely, because of tracheal collapse. Chronic laryngeal obstruction, as a result of necrobacillosis or infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, responds poorly to medical treatment. A tracheolaryngostomy technique under general anaesthesia is described with closure of the laryngotomy incision. ⋯ The technique had a high success rate at 6 months follow-up. In animals with severe bronchopneumonia without laryngeal abscesses at endoscopy, tracheotomy and medical therapy with antibiotics and steroids may be successful. Chronic laryngeal obstruction is more common in double-muscled calves because of the anatomy of the upper airways, increasing laryngeal resistance to airflow.