Esophageal Dysfunction in Dogs with Idiopathic Laryngeal Paralysis: A Controlled Cohort Study

Objectives: To compare esophageal function in dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis (ILP) to age- and breed-matched controls; to determine if dysfunction is associated with aspiration pneumonia over one year; and to compare clinical neurologic examination of dogs with ILP at enrollment and one year. Study Design: Prospective controlled cohort study Animals or Sample Population: 32 dogs with ILP, and 34 age- and breed-matched healthy dogs. Methods: Three-phase esophagrams were performed on all dogs. Blinded analyses of the esophagrams were performed, and the mean esophageal score determined in each phase. Following unilateral crico-arytenoid laryngoplasty, dogs with ILP were re-examined including thoracic radiography at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Neurologic status was recorded at enrollment, 6 and 12 months. Results: Esophagram scores in dogs with ILP were significantly higher in each phase compared to the controls, most notably with liquid (P<.0001). Dysfunction was more pronounced in the cervical and cran...