Laryngeal Paralysis

[Piglet]

Hey guys, advice needed please. Our 13 year old dog has been diagnosed with the above, (operation not even considerable due to age), he is on meds from the vet to aid his sore throat. I realise that we are going to have to make a horrible decision (probably sooner rather than later), however my 2 questions are,
1. How will I know in time if he is still ok with breathing?
2. He has always been fed on dried food but as he now turns his one up at them so we have given in and now feed him Bakers Complete Meaty Chunks which he can easily swallow. Is this suitable food as I have heard a lot of negativity about it?

Any help or advice please to assist our gorgeous dog probably in the last few weeks/months would be appreciated

 

[Sarah_K]

Couldn't read and run as I'm going through the same thing, but with my cat. She's too old and small to have an operation, but we've managed things well since Xmas- she hasn't got any worse. It's a total minefield on the internet as everything is seems to be "have the operation."

From my understanding (this has worked for me to keep symptoms to a minimum), keep them cool, quiet and calm. If they can't breathe very well or pant they get hot. Mushy wet food so it slips down easier and there's less bits/dust to cough on. I think the biggest difference has been keeping my house spotlessly dustless (housework and I don't get on). Not saying you are half as much of a house scruff as me, but damp dusting, no aerosols, no air freshners and a good vac everyday where my cat likes to sleep. If you smoke, no smoking in the house. Does your dog have a collar on? Make sure it's loose and no pulling on it on walks or use a harness.

About 5 months ago I thought I was going to have to make the final call to the vets. My cat was standing with her neck and head stuck straight out in front of her with every breath producing a "barking" cough and almost a retch sort of thing. Obviously there was no way I was going to keep an animal alive that couldn't breathe but after being taken out of the house she improved. Was the dust from the cat litter that was exacerbating her breathing. If every breathe produces a harsh sound or whistle and you see them using stomach muscles to breathe in and out (rather than just chest moving) they are having problems. There are some video's on Youtube showing the sounds and motions. They are not pleasant viewing. The lab in the link below is doing what my cat was.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfwYgGdxWEQ

If my cat got to that stage again, then I would make the horrible decision.

It's a *****ty horrible condition in an otherwise healthy animal. Good luck with everything, I think that when the time comes you'll know. If he can't enjoy going for a mooch without struggling for breath then it's probably time to think about it.

 

[Sandstone1]

My old boy had this, he died this year aged 14 1/2, he was diagnosed when he was 12
.
Keeping him cool and calm helped. A fan in hot weather, soft food fed raised up a little. As little stress as possible. A loose collar or harness instead. No pressure on his neck and short walks.
Hope this helps a little.

 

[Umbongo]

Agree with above re: keeping cool and calm.

Is an operation completely off the cards? I had a 12.5 year old labrador in my care this year that had the operation in January. She is still doing very well now.

Re: feeding. Ditch the Bakers just because it is awful. Small bits of wet food and biscuits etc are more at risk of being inhaled due to the laryngeal paralysis and causing aspiration pneumonia. Particularly if your dog is the sort that inhales food like he has never been been fed in his life. A wet food that you can ball up into chunks is ideal. Something like wet chappie is good. The size of the chunks would depend on the dog. But for a 25kg labrador we rolled them up into slightly smaller than golf ball size. This advise would also apply after surgery if you did choose this option.

Walk with a harness to prevent the dog getting into breathing difficulty if being pulled about on a collar and lead. If your dog is having difficulty with breathing you will know. Heavy breathing, coughing, aspiration pneumonia etc.

Good luck with your boy,it is never easy
xxx

 

[Piglet]

Thank you guys for your advice, I will certainly take on board the feeding regime, keeping him calm? That is a different story, he may be an old Spaniel but he does get very excited about things and when he dances around, he looks a bit like a baby elephant. I am vey lucky in that I have a fabulous vet who I am ringing in a week or so to update and him. It is so very hard as he still looks like a puppy and moves like a young dog not an oldie.