An incompletely erupted canine tooth compromising the nasal cavity in a pug presenting with severe brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)
Journal
Veterinary Record Case Reports
Journal Volume
8
Journal Issue
3
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Abstract
A six-year-old male neutered pug presented as an emergency with acute-onset dyspnoea. The patient was stabilised with a temporary tracheostomy. Further investigations revealed the presence of anatomical malformations commonly encountered in dogs suffering from brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). A CT scan of the patient's head also revealed the root of the right maxillary canine tooth (104) extending into the right nasal cavity. Rhinoscopic examination confirmed partial occlusion of the nasal airway by the presence of the tooth root. The right maxillary canine tooth was extracted, and postremoval rhinoscopy demonstrated an increase in the nasal cavity air-filled space on the right side. Subsequently, the patient underwent BOAS surgery but was unable to tolerate long-term removal of the tracheostomy tube postoperatively due to severe laryngeal collapse. A permanent tracheostomy was performed and the patient was discharged showing no signs of respiratory difficulties. © British Veterinary Association 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
Subjects
airway; BOAS; brachycephaly; computed tomography (CT); pug; unerupted tooth
Other Subjects
aerophagia; alveolar bone loss; Article; ataxia; auditory canal; auscultation; brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome; breathing; canine tooth; case report; clinical article; computer assisted tomography; cyanosis; dog; dyspnea; esophagus diverticulosis; external otitis; gingiva; human; male; maxillary canine; mouth cavity; neutrophilia; nonhuman; nystagmus; otitis media; oxygen therapy; respiratory distress; retching; soft palate; stridor; surgical flaps; thorax radiography; tonsillectomy; tracheostomy; vestibular disorder
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Type
journal article