Dissecting aneurysm of the carotid artery as a cause of respiratory distress in adult cattle

A two-and-a-half-year-old Friesian cow and a five-year-old Charolais cow developed severe respiratory distress and palpable swellings to the left of the larynx as a result of a dissecting aneurysm of the common carotid artery. Neither cow responded to medical treatment. The underlying pathogenesis of the condition was uncertain, but direct trauma to the carotid artery was a possible contributory factor. Aneurysms of the common carotid artery should be considered when swelling occurs in the region of the larynx or when respiratory distress is due to laryngeal compression.