Diaphragmatic plication in a dog with bilateral paralysis and muscle degeneration
- G. Santarelli
- J.D. Carrillo
- A . Bernabé
- M.A. Gómez-Sánchez
- Amalia Agut Giménez
- M.J. Fernández-del Palacio
ISSN: 1130-7064
Year of publication: 2017
Volume: 37
Issue: 4
Pages: 257-262
Type: Article
More publications in: Clínica veterinaria de pequeños animales: revista oficial de AVEPA, Asociación Veterinaria Española de Especialistas en Pequeños Animales
Abstract
A one-year-old intact female Frech Bulldog was evaluated with a 3-week history of exercise intolerance and respiratory distress on exertion. An abnormally slim abdomen, tachypnea and marked paradoxical abdominal respiration exacerbated by stress were noted during clinical examination. Thoracic radiographs showed bilateral cranial and radiographic findings, and bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis was diagnosed through fluoroscopy and M-mode ultrasonography. Surgical plication of the diaphragm was performed one moth after diagnosis because no clinical improvement was achieved with conservative management; the procedure was considered successful, and resulted in a prompt and long-lasting remission of clinical signs. Histopathology of a biopsy specimen of the muscle obtained during surgery revealed the presence of myofiber degeneration and necrosis. This is the first reported case of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis and muscle degeneration identified by histopathology in a dog, with a favorable long-term outcome following surgical plication via laparotomy.