Case of the Month: Moses Bender

Moses is a 9 1/2 year old Golden Retriever who came to see us for a sudden onset of noisy, labored breathing through his nose. Previous treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory corticosteroids had not resolved his symptoms. His veterinarian recommended a consultation, CT scan, and rhinoscopy (procedure involving a video camera on a tiny tube inserted in the nostril) to obtain a diagnosis and plan treatment.

Our CT scanner is very useful for evaluation of the nasal cavity, sinuses, ears, and bones of the jaw and skull. Frequent causes of nasal symptoms in dogs include allergies, inflammatory rhinitis, infection, cancer, and foreign bodies. By combining CT scans and rhinoscopy procedures, we can also take biopsy samples and treat symptoms at the same time. This helps decrease the number of episodes and duration of anesthesia, provides faster and more complete diagnostic answers, and allows treatment to begin sooner. Moses was immediately scheduled for a CT scan and his nasal cavity and sinuses were normal, but an oval object was obstructing the nasopharynx (back of the nasal passages where they open into the throat). During rhinoscopy, this object was visualized and determined to be a lodged almond! The almond was removed and his prognosis for full resolution of symptoms is excellent.

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