Any experience of this?....

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DipseyDeb

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I have a pushing 13, lab.. last year he was diagnosed with a partcial colapse of his larynx, this is apparantly quite common in labs. We've been told there is an op but it would be quite a big one, for a dog of his age. He has since started panting alot more (not sure if this is a sign it's gatting worse) Has anyone had any experience of this and the op involved? not sure where to go from here!!
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My old lab was diagnosed with Laryngeal Parallysis (sp), I decided not to put him through surgery after advice from my vet. I know that this is also common in Afghans too. He had roughly 18 months after diagnosis and died aged approx 13 yrs. At your dogs age i'm not too sure that putting him through surgery would extend his life by much and you really need to weigh up whether his quality of life would be improved or not. I'm sure you will make the right decision as to what is best for your dog, I decided against surgery but that might not be your best decision. These choices are always hard with our oldies - hugs to your oldie from my oldie!
 
My 12 year old deerhound has just been diagnosed with this, I took him into work as I thought it was his heart as he was coughing alot, my vet said this is mainly diagnosed in larger breeds dogs and the type mine has will not effect him apart from the coughing....with is more of a slight irratation, agree with vizzielover...depends on how bad they are effected..but 13 is a good old age to be putting him through an op.
 
i wouldn't put a 13yr old lab through this surgery. i would let him live out his days as long as he is comfy. some would disagree with me, but at 13 he's already outliving his life expectancy for his breed - i just wouldn't put him through major surgery.
 
Thanks for your replies both of you. Vizzielover, did your lab die as a result of the condition? Am a bit upset as it has finally hit me, just how old he is. He's still quite spritly at the mo, (considering his age) but this thing really seems to be slowing him up !
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My old lab x was diagnosed with this at the same age. My vet advised that the op isn't always successful, so I decided that I wouldn't put Holly through the op. She did seem to get more breathless as she got older, though that could have just been due old age. Holly was evetually PTS at nearly 15yrs, but due to arthritis rather than the throat condition.

If your lab is a spritely 13 I may consider the op in your position, otherwise let your old boy enjoy his twilight days without the distress of a major op.
 
Hi

My Granda's 13 year old male lab also had this. His vet suggested surgery, which we all disagreed with as the poor old soul was almost at the end of the road, but my Granda was completely devoted to him and went along with what the vet said. The old boy really struggled after surgery and only lived for 4 months after it. Was really annoyed that my Granda was offered the surgery option on an already old and failing dog. Needless to say my Granda was utterly devestated by the loss. In a young dog, i would say definately yes, but it takes an awful lot out of an oldie. Hope this helps. x
 
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