Endoscopic Examination of the Nasal Cavity Through the Choanae of Dogs with Nasal Disease

Abstract

We performed an endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity through the choanae (internal nostrils) of 20 dogs with nasal disease and the findings were classified into three categories: tumorous, inflammatory or normal tissue. Based on the endoscopic findings, a tentative diagnosis of tumorous tissue was obtained in eight cases, inflammation was detected in 10 cases, and a normal phenotype was diagnosed in two cases. The results were then compared with the histopathological findings from tissue samples obtained by endoscopic examination through the choanae of the same 20 dogs. A definitive histopathological diagnosis was obtained in 95% (19/20) of the cases, and the concordance rate between the endoscopic findings and definitive histopathology was 85%. Based on the results of this study, endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity through the choanae is proposed as a useful tool for diagnosing nasal disease in dogs.