Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis in a pony
Amory, H.; Lomba, F.; Lekeux, P.M.; Solal, A.N.; Jauniaux, T.P.; Desmecht, D.J.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 205(4): 587-591
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 7961096 Document Number: 423922
An adult pony had a 1-month history of severe respiratory distress that was resistant to treatment and environmental changes. Results of blood gas analysis were indicative of alveolar hypoventilation. Simultaneous recordings of thoracic and abdominal wall motion by inductance plethysmography, together with complete pulmonary mechanics evaluation that included transdiaphragmatic pressure monitoring, revealed complete passive behavior of the diaphragm during breathing. Because radiography, necropsy, and histologic examination did not reveal any major lesion to explain the clinical and functional observations, bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis was diagnosed.