Upper Airway Obstruction Due to Primary Laryngeal Blastomycosis in a Dog

J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2020 May/Jun;56(3):181. doi: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6984. Epub 2020 Mar 17.

Abstract

A 9 yr old female spayed Labrador retriever presented for progressive dyspnea. Inspiratory stridor and inspiratory and expiratory dyspnea were present, consistent with an upper airway obstruction. A laryngeal exam revealed severe thickening of the arytenoid cartilages and masses associated with the arytenoids. A tracheostomy tube was placed, and the masses were biopsied. Histopathology showed pyogranulomatous inflammation secondary to Blastomyces dermatitidis. The dog was initially treated with amphotericin B and terbinafine in the hospital until the airway obstruction resolved and the tracheostomy tube could be removed. The dog experienced complete recovery after long-term treatment with itraconazole and terbinafine. This is the first report of laryngeal obstruction secondary to primary laryngeal blastomycosis in a dog. Blastomycosis should be considered for cases of obstructive laryngeal disease, and a good outcome can be achieved with antifungal treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Airway Obstruction / etiology
  • Airway Obstruction / veterinary*
  • Amphotericin B / administration & dosage
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Blastomyces / isolation & purification*
  • Blastomycosis / complications
  • Blastomycosis / diagnosis
  • Blastomycosis / veterinary*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Dog Diseases / drug therapy
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Laryngeal Diseases / complications
  • Laryngeal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Laryngeal Diseases / veterinary*
  • Pedigree
  • Terbinafine / administration & dosage
  • Terbinafine / therapeutic use
  • Tracheostomy / veterinary

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Amphotericin B
  • Terbinafine