Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the walls of the pharynx. It may accompany most upper airway viral and bacterial respiratory infections, eg, strangles in horses and distemper in dogs.
Functionally, the pharynx is divided into 2 components—the nasopharynx and the oropharynx. In most species, there is a common pharynx that is present at times other than deglutition. The unique caudal pharyngeal-laryngeal anatomy of horses shows complete separation of the pharynx into 2 components. (See also pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia, Pharyngeal Lymphoid Hyperplasia .)
Clinical Findings:
In general, animals with pharyngitis have a normal desire to eat and drink but may have difficulty swallowing. As a result of secondary peripharyngeal cellulitis and abscessation, some animals may present in an emergency situation (eg, a young foal with gross suppurative pharyngitis from strangles that is obstructing the pharynx and causing asphyxiation). The diagnosis in such cases is based on complete physical examination and radiographic and endoscopic evaluation of the throat, together with cultures of appropriate draining fluids and sites. In small animals, oral pain and resistance to having the mouth opened may indicate retropharyngeal abscessation and the presence of a penetrating foreign body or neoplasia of the mouth or tonsils.
Treatment:
The primary treatment is to identify and control or eliminate the predisposing factors. If pharyngitis has been caused by foreign bodies, removal of the offending object and effective surgical drainage accompanied by excision of necrotic tissue should be done under general anesthesia. In race training of horses, multiple therapies for pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia are used. Such therapies involve the use of intranasal sprays via catheters that may include a mixture of components (eg, fluorescein, dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO], and local anesthetic and antimicrobial agents).
Calicivirus infections in cats may cause marked ulceration of the oropharyngeal mucosa, which is difficult to treat without a primary therapy for the virus. Supportive therapy may control secondary bacterial infection. It is important to maintain normal hydration and provide adequate nutrition, which may be accomplished by IV fluid therapy, feeding by pharyngostomy, or both.
