The two current forms of laryngeal disease are acute laryngitis and stridulous laryngitis.
ACUTE LARYNGITIS.
Acute laryngitis, like simple coryza, of which it is often only an accompaniment, is caused by chill, by irritant vapours, by smoke, etc., or by external traumatic causes.
The cough is dry and painful at first; afterwards it is accompanied by a discharge or by the swallowing of mucus or muco-purulent products. The respiration sometimes appears accelerated and difficult, but roaring or whistling and marked fever are rare. The slightest pressure over the laryngeal region causes pain and attacks of coughing. The respiration is normal while the animal is at rest, provided that the laryngitis remains localised; frequently, however, it is complicated with bronchitis.
The appetite is somewhat diminished, but all these symptoms very rapidly improve.
The diagnosis is based on the frequency of the cough and the sensitiveness of the throat region.
The prognosis is favourable in cases of simple laryngitis.
Treatment consists in the administration of steam inhalations, warm drinks, the application of mustard plasters or blisters around the laryngeal region, and the administration of expectorants to facilitate mucous discharge.
PSEUDO-MEMBRANOUS LARYNGITIS.
Pseudo-membranous laryngitis, also termed by German authors croupal or diphtheritic laryngitis, because it bears a certain resemblance to human croup, is characterised by the formation of false membranes on the vocal cords, arytenoid cartilages, and subglottal region, etc.