Journal of Veterinary Clinics (한국임상수의학회지)

The Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics (한국임상수의학회)
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Laryngeal Paralysis in a Cat with Malignant Thymoma

  • Hyeona Bae (College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Il-Hwa Hong (College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Dong-In Jung (College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • DoHyeon Yu (College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University)
  • Received : 2023.01.07
  • Accepted : 2023.01.30
  • Published : 2023.02.28
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Abstract

A 10-year-old castrated male Domestic Shorthair cat visited a veterinary medical teaching hospital for emergency dyspnea. The cat was hypoxic and hypotensive, and stridorous respiration was remarkable. Visual inspection confirmed laryngeal paralysis and a lack of mobility of the left larynx. Megaesophagus, aspiration pneumonia, cranial mediastinal mass, and positive Tensilon test results using neostigmine were observed, indicating acquired myasthenia gravis secondary to thymic neoplasia. After 10 minutes of neostigmine 0.02 mg/kg IV administration, laryngeal paralysis and dyspnea resolved. Histopathlogical examination for the cranial mediastinal mass after surgical resection confirmed malignant thymoma. Here, we report a case of acquired myasthenia gravis in a cat with a malignant thymoma that presented with life-threatening dyspnea due to laryngeal paralysis. Feline laryngeal paralysis is uncommon, and myasthenia gravis, a cause of laryngeal paralysis in cats, has not yet been reported. Myasthenia gravis should be considered in cats with laryngeal paralysis.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture and Forestry (IPET) through Companion Animal Life Cycle Industry Technology Development Program, funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) (322092-04-1-HD030).

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