Clinicalcorrelations
Anosmia, which means the loss of the sense of smell, and hyposmia, referring to a reduced ability to smell, are not commonly encountered clinical issues. The reasons behind anosmia and hyposmia are not always clear.
Anosmia often stems from severe inflammation of the olfactory mucosa or bilateral lesions affecting the olfactory nerve or olfactory bulbs. Viral infections, like distemper and parainfluenza, can also lead to anosmia or hyposmia by causing damage to the olfactory mucosa. Head trauma, in some instances, may displace the olfactory bulb concerning the cribriform plate, causing harm to the axons of the fila olfactoria that pass through this plate en route to the olfactory bulb. Such displacement can result in a loss or reduction of the sense of smell. Evaluating olfactory deficiencies in animals can be done by observing their responses to smells, such as turning the head away, facial muscle contractions, or sniffing. However, it's important to avoid using irritating substances during these assessments, as the animal's reactions may be triggered not necessarily by an intact olfactory system but rather by the stimulation of sensory nerve endings of the trigeminal nerve in the nasal mucosa.
Source:
Rana Tanmoy (ed.). Principles of Veterinary Animal Physiology. CRC Press,2026. — 290 p.. 2026
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