Life‐threatening pharyngeal oedema secondary to severe perianaesthetic regurgitation in a French bulldog: Management with topical adrenaline and nasotracheal tube

Abstract Postoperative upper airway obstructions in brachycephalic dogs (BDs) mainly occur following brachycephalic airway surgery. Tracheostomy is the most frequently reported technique to relieve upper airway obstructions. A 10‐year‐old French bulldog presented repeated regurgitation during anaesthesia for orthopaedic surgery. Oesophageal and pharyngeal lavage were performed. Seven hours after recovery, the dog displayed severe stertor and hypoxemia, which were not relieved with oxygen flow‐by and sedation. Emergency anaesthesia and tracheal intubation were performed. Laryngoscopy revealed severe pharyngeal inflammation. A nasotracheal tube (NTT) was placed while the dog remained intubated, and diluted adrenaline was sprayed on the pharynx using a mucosal atomization device. Mild sedation and oxygenotherapy through NTT were maintained for 3 days. The dog was discharged after 5 days. This report describes an uncommon complication of perianaesthetic repeated regurgitation in a BD, and an unusual technique for managing an upper airway obstruction.