DYSPHONIA IN 2 DOGS WITH CRANIAL CERVICAL INTERVERTEBRAL-DISK EXTRUSION

Dysphonia occurred secondary to cranial cervical intervertebral disk e xtrusion in two dogs. One dog was tetraparetic and the other tetrapleg ic. Ventilation was severely compromised in the tetraplegic dog. Surgi cal decompression of the spinal cord resulted in resolution of the cli nical signs. Upon review of 125 other dogs with cervical intervertebra l disk disease admitted to NCSU-CVM Hospital, no additional dogs with dysphonia were identified While there are numerous causes of dysphonia , poor diaphragmatic and intercostal muscle movement with inability to maintain an air pressure gradient across the larynx seems most likely in these two dogs.