An obstructive upper respiratory emergency in a pregnant Belgian blue heifer

In this case report, the surgical intervention and aftercare are described of an upper airway obstruction in a two-and-a-half year old, seven-months pregnant Belgian blue heifer. The animal had been referred to the Clinic for Ruminants (University of Liege) for complaints of stridor and dyspnea and suffered from necrotic laryngitis, complicated by the formation of an obstructive granuloma. Emergency tracheotomy was performed to save the life of the cow and its calf. Through the use of a self-retaining cannula, the modified tracheotomy site could be kept patent until the calf was born and the pathology resolved two months after admission. Healing of the larynx was checked and documented by use of nasal and retro-tracheal endoscopy.