Nasopharyngeal stenosis secondary to soft palate dysgenesis in a cat

This report is the first description of soft palate dysgenesis inducing nasopharyngeal stenosis in a cat. The symptomatology included continuous stertorous respiration and changes in phonation. Open-mouth breathing, seromucous nasal discharge and sneezing were intermittently present. On physical examination the cat showed a respiratory pattern characteristic of upper airway disease, with stridor, increased inspiratory effort and severe bilateral obstruction of nasal passages to the airflow. Pharyngo-laryngoscopic evaluation showed an abnormal conformation of the soft palate that appeared attached to the caudal and lateral pharyngeal wall and stretched the whole length of the pharynx. A strip of soft tissue emanated from the caudal part of the hard palate to the right aspect of the base of the tongue. Caudal to this strip of tissue, the intrapharyngeal opening was stenosed, therefore preventing normal airflow. Surgical reconstruction was not recommended. The cat was clinically stable with mild respiratory symptoms 17 months after the diagnosis.