A 4 year-old female spayed Jack Russell Terrier presented to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals Emergency Service as a referral for evaluation of a pharyngeal mass. She previously had a one-year history of respiratory issues, including gasping for air with a mild cough. The primary veterinarian at first attributed this to allergies and prescribed prednisone and diphenhydramine. Despite medications, her respiratory signs continued to worsen. An endoscopic exam was performed by the primary veterinarian, and an oropharyngeal mass was found. Upon presentation to the emergency service, she demonstrated severe respiratory effort. Upon examination, the patient was panting enabling visualization of an oral mass. She was given butorphanol, acepromazine, maropitant, intravenous fluids, and placed in a 40% O2 cage. A complete blood count and serum chemistry panel were performed and found unremarkable. A sedated oral exam was performed the next day and a broad based soft tissue mass was confirmed. Computed tomography was performed and confirmed a (2.6 x 2.0 x 2.0 cm) broad based mass arising from the dorsal pharynx, just cranial to the larynx. Given the location of the mass, complete surgical margins would be unlikely, however debulking would alleviate the dog’s clinical signs and allow for diagnosis of the tumor type. CT also revealed ventral sublobar pulmonary consolidation, likely caused by atelectasis. Surgical excision was performed the same day and submitted for histopathologic examination. Complete surgical excision was not achieved. Impression smears were taken from the surgical biopsy sample and submitted for cytologic evaluation. She recovered well from anesthesia and respiratory signs resolved. Cytologic interpretation was a neuroendocrine tumor with concurrent Surgical excision was performed the same day and submitted for histopathologic examination. Complete surgical excision was not achieved. Impression smears were taken from the surgical biopsy sample and submitted for cytologic evaluation. She recovered well from anesthesia and respiratory signs resolved. Cytologic interpretation was a neuroendocrine tumor with concurrent evidence of neutrophilic inflammation and hemorrhage. The histologic diagnosis was a presumptive neuroendocrine tumor, however additional immunohistochemical stains revealed the tumor type was a rhabdomyosarcoma. The owners report that she has been doing well postoperatively. This is a discussion of the surgical technique, cytological interpretation, immunohistochemical stains, prognosis, and additional treatment options to prevent recurrence.