Comparison of Three Clinical Techniques for the Diagnosis of Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs

Objectives— To evaluate laryngeal function using 3 diagnostic techniques: echolaryngography (EL), transnasal laryngoscopy (TNL), and laryngoscopy per os (LPO).
Study Design— Prospective clinical study.
Animals— Dogs with laryngeal paralysis (n=5) and control dogs (n=10); 5 age- and breed-matched dogs and 5 young, breed-matched dogs.
Methods— Laryngeal function was evaluated in conscious dogs using EL. All examinations were recorded and evaluated by separate, blinded observers upon completion of the study. The methods were compared with a standard evaluation incorporating all clinical knowledge of the case (STD) using sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values.
Results— Three dogs with bilateral laryngeal paralysis requiring surgery were diagnosed as unilaterally affected or normal on EL. Three dogs had paradoxic motion on TNL and LPO, 2 of those were considered normal on EL, and 1 had no motion on EL. Paralysis was diagnosed in 1 age-matched and 3 young control dogs on EL. LPO and TNL falsely diagnosed lack of arytenoid movement in 2 age-matched controls and 1 young control. Two age-matched and 1 young control dog were misdiagnosed as paralyzed with TNL and LPO.
Discussion— Direct observation of the larynx allowed better evaluation of laryngeal function compared with EL. TNL did not require induction of anesthesia, but did not improve the ability to assess laryngeal function compared with LPO.
Conclusions— EL was not as effective as direct observation of the larynx. TNL did not improve the evaluation of laryngeal function compared with LPO.
Clinical Relevance— We use LPO combined with knowledge of the clinical history and physical examination to diagnose laryngeal paralysis in preference to EL and TNL.     

甘南高寒地区施用有机肥对燕麦草产量和土壤肥力的影响

为探究不同有机肥对高寒地区燕麦草产量及土壤肥力的影响,本试验共设置 ５ 个不同的施肥处理,生育期 120 d后测定了燕麦鲜草产量和干草产量,并分析了土壤的理化性质。试验结果表明：不同的有机肥对高寒地区燕麦草产量影响较大,燕麦鲜草产量结合播种施 1 号燕麦专用有机肥作基肥,在分蘖期追施 2 号燕麦专用有机肥处理组最高,为 82 000 kg/hm2,本试验生产的有机肥处理组次之。此外,经土壤化学性质检测,各处理组有机质含量均较施肥前有所增加,本试验生产的有机肥处理组有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾含量最高,说明以牛羊粪为原料通过益生菌发酵自制的有机肥可以有效提高土壤肥力水平。