RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS OF THE 28th ECVIM-CA CONGRESS

HSPF might be an underestimated disease of the upper airways and clinician should be aware of this condition when evaluating brachycephalic and non‐brachycephalic toy dogs with obstructive signs of the upper airways. It should also be considered that muscle relaxation induced by anaesthesia and mucosal oedema might overestimate the degree of HSPF and subsequently the degree of laryngeal collapse. When abduction of the pharyngeal fold by mean of a cotton swab results in significant improvement of laryngeal abduction, surgical correction of the HSPF should be considered in dogs with severe inspiratory dyspnea. In less severe cases conservative therapy can improve clinical signs.