Nasopharyngeal turbinates in brachycephalic dogs and cats

• Published in: The Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association Vol. 44; no. 5; p. 243
• Main Authors: Ginn, Jennifer A, Kumar, M S A, McKiernan, Brendan C, Powers, Barbara E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2008
• Subjects: Airway Obstruction - complications; Airway Obstruction - pathology; Airway Obstruction - veterinary; Animals; Cat Diseases - diagnosis; Cat Diseases - genetics; Cat Diseases - pathology; Cats; Dog Diseases - diagnosis; Dog Diseases - genetics; Dog Diseases - pathology; Dogs; Esophagoscopy - veterinary; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Male; Pedigree; Prevalence; Respiratory Tract Diseases - diagnosis; Respiratory Tract Diseases - genetics; Respiratory Tract Diseases - pathology; Respiratory Tract Diseases - veterinary; Retrospective Studies; Syndrome
• ISSN: 1547-3317
• DOI: 10.5326/0440243

This retrospective study reports the presence and incidence of nasal turbinates in the nasopharynx (nasopharyngeal turbinates) in a population of brachycephalic dogs and cats exhibiting signs of upper respiratory disease. Medical records were reviewed for 53 brachycephalic dogs and 10 brachycephalic cats undergoing upper airway endoscopy. Nasopharyngeal turbinates were identified in 21% of brachycephalic animals, including 21% of dogs and 20% of cats. Pugs accounted for 32% of all dogs in the study population and 82% of dogs with nasopharyngeal turbinates. The presence of nasopharyngeal turbinates may play a role in upper airway obstruction in the brachycephalic airway syndrome.