Staphylectomy in nonbrachycephalic dogs: A retrospective study of 27 cases.

OBJECTIVE

To report the outcomes and complications associated with staphylectomy in nonbrachycephalic dogs.

ANIMAL

Twenty-seven nonbrachycephalic dogs with elongated soft palates and undergoing staphylectomy.

PROCEDURE

Retrospective study.

RESULTS

Increased upper airway noise (70.4%) and dyspnea (44.4%) were the most common presenting clinical signs. Concurrent upper airway abnormalities found in the study population included laryngeal collapse (25.9%) and laryngeal paralysis (14.8%). The most common staphylectomy technique used in this study was sharp excision (66.7%) with sutured oral and nasal mucosal apposition. The dogs in this study had an overall minor postoperative complication rate of 33.3%, with regurgitation/vomiting (11.1%) and coughing (11.1%) occurring most commonly. No dog required supplemental oxygen therapy or temporary tracheostomy.

CONCLUSION

Staphylectomy was well-tolerated in nonbrachycephalic dogs and was associated with a relatively low rate of complications. Concurrent airway abnormalities were common among nonbrachycephalic dogs with elongated soft palates, similar to brachycephalic dogs.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Clinicians should be aware that elongated soft palate can occur in nonbrachycephalic dogs, and surgical correction can be achieved with rare major or catastrophic complications.