Laryngeal paralysis in dogs (lar par) is one of a handful of true veterinary emergencies. By sharing the real-life story of a Labrador Retriever diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby reveals the signs, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition. Through detailed images and a video of a dog with laryngeal paralysis, discover why seconds truly do matter in treating acute manifestations of this disease.
The ultimate guide to laryngeal paralysis in dogs
- The ultimate guide to laryngeal paralysis in dogs
- Laryngeal paralysis in dogs: Charlie's story
- Signs and symptoms of laryngeal paralysis in dogs
- What is laryngeal paralysis in dogs?
- What causes laryngeal paralysis in dogs?
- How is laryngeal paralysis in dogs diagnosed?
- Why is seeking medical care critical if you suspect lar par?
- How do you treat laryngeal paralysis in dogs?
- How can you support the "whole dog" following a lar par diagnosis?
- Charlie's legacy: spreading awareness of lar par to help other dogs stay safe
Laryngeal paralysis in dogs: Charlie’s story
When I think of laryngeal paralysis in dogs (commonly known as lar par), I think of Charlie—a good-natured black Labrador Retriever who had been my patient for many years.
I think about a complex syndrome in senior dogs called Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis Polyneuropathy or “GOLPP.” While it had not been fully characterized nor named when Charlie was alive, in retrospect, I’m sure GOLPP most accurately described his condition.
I still think about the night we lost Charlie because of this disease, and the three boxes of tissues his owner and I went through.
Don’t ignore the classic “roar”
The senior Labrador Retriever’s mom, Francis, was the quintessential veterinary client—observant and conscientious. When she noticed changes in Charlie’s breathing, she quickly scheduled an appointment for a veterinary exam.
Francis was almost apologetic in the exam room because the symptoms she described were somewhat vague. She said that sometimes Charlie’s breathing sounded like he was roaring. But as she described this, he lay sleeping on the cold tile floor, looking like the picture of health.
She also explained that Charlie’s voice had changed when he barked. She finished that sentence looking sheepish, as if I might write off her concerns to some manner of delayed doggie puberty.
However, it’s important to point out two things:
- I am a passionate believer that you, the owner, know your dog better than anyone else. If you are concerned, then I am too.
- Changes in your dog’s behavior are always worth mentioning to your vet, no matter how strange or insignificant they may seem.
When Francis described her concerns, I believed her. It wasn’t her job to ascribe significance to what she observed and make a diagnosis. That was my job. Her job was to recognize changes as early as possible and alert me to them. And, she was a superstar at that.
Signs and symptoms of laryngeal paralysis in dogs
Although Charlie’s mom didn’t realize it, she was describing telltale signs of laryngeal paralysis in dogs which include:
- Raspy breathing
- Changes in the dog’s bark
- High-pitched noisy breathing (stridor) which may worsen with exercise or excitement
- Coughing or gagging, especially when drinking or eating
- Difficulty inhaling fully
- Exercise intolerance
- Increased panting
- Respiratory distress
Understanding a dog’s larynx
After I’d finished listening to her observations and examining my patient, I explained that understanding laryngeal paralysis starts with understanding a dog’s larynx. Here’s a brief description:
Deep in the dog’s throat is a region we call the larynx. You might know it by the term “voice box.” Here we find important protective structures known as the arytenoid cartilages. These are two small ridges of tough tissue on either side of the entrance to the trachea (windpipe) that open and close with each breath. They are controlled by muscles that are in turn controlled by two nerves—the recurrent laryngeal nerves and vagus nerves.
What is laryngeal paralysis in dogs?
Laryngeal paralysis is a condition in which the cartilages that protect the upper airway fail to open and close appropriately. There is nothing wrong with the cartilages themselves, but rather the muscles that control them. Truth be told, it’s not really the muscles themselves that are the problem. It’s the nerves that supply the muscle.
With laryngeal paralysis, the nerve is not sending a strong signal to the muscle. As a result, the muscle weakens and no longer opens the larynx effectively. Sometimes, one cartilage is involved, and in other circumstances, it is both.
In a normal dog, the nerves command the muscles to move, which makes the cartilages open and close like a gate to allow air to move during breathing and control what enters into the lungs.
In a dog with laryngeal paralysis, the cartilage flaps (either one or both) do not move, causing obstruction of the airway as the dog breathes. It can be very noisy as the air rushes past these structures sitting in the path of the air flow. While many structures are important in the function of the upper airway, only one muscle actually opens the cartilages—the cricoarytenoideus dorsalis.
What does lar par sound like in dogs?
If nerve supply to this muscle deteriorates, the characteristic stridor (aka roaring) is heard when the dog breathes because the cartilage causes turbulence as the air moves past. As with my patient, voice changes (dysphonia) and difficulty taking in a deep breath (inspiratory dyspnea) may also be seen.
Types of laryngeal paralysis
In the interest of making this story complete, I should tell you that dogs can either be born with lar par, meaning it is congenital, or they can develop it as they age, which is the acquired form.
1. Congenital laryngeal paralysis
Congenital laryngeal paralysis in dogs most often affects:
- Huskies
- Bouviers des Flanders
- Rottweilers
It’s fairly uncommon, but it should be on the differential list for any young puppy with the characteristic roaring sound when breathing.
2. Acquired laryngeal paralysis
Acquired laryngeal paralysis is the more common type of lar par. Certain breeds seem predisposed to this condition including:
- Labrador Retrievers
- German Shepherds
- Golden Retrievers
- Newfoundlands
- Borzois
- Greyhounds
- Brittany Spaniels
- Mixed breeds
What causes laryngeal paralysis in dogs?
Generally, the reason dogs develop lar par is not known. This is why the condition was first called “Idiopathic Acquired Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs.”
Idiopathic means “of unknown cause.” The term still accurately describes this condition—we don’t fully understand it. However, research studies are underway to learn more.
Laryngeal paralysis is often the first sign of a generalized polyneuropathy
When I diagnosed Charlie many years ago, it was still believed that laryngeal paralysis in dogs was an isolated condition that only affected the laryngeal nerves.
In recent years, research has shown that many (some would say all) dogs with lar par actually have a generalized polyneuropathy. This means other nerves are eventually involved too. However, laryngeal paralysis is often the first and most obvious manifestation of the problem.
Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis Polyneuropathy (GOLPP)
In 2012, this led to the recognition of a condition named Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis Polyneuropathy (GOLPP), which I mentioned at the beginning of our story. To reiterate, the cause of GOLPP has not been discovered.
In addition to the signs of laryngeal paralysis listed earlier, senior dogs with geriatric onset laryngeal paralysis polyneuropathy may have:
- Generalized weakness in all muscles, not just those in the upper airway.
- Trouble walking, unsteady gait, abnormal stance, or difficulty climbing stairs or getting up on furniture due to hind end weakness.
- Gagging, difficulty swallowing, or regurgitation (process where undigested food is passively expelled through the mouth) due to esophageal dysfunction.
How is laryngeal paralysis in dogs diagnosed?
If you suspect that your dog may have laryngeal paralysis, a visit to your veterinarian is in order. Diagnosis of laryngeal paralysis in dogs is based on a combination of signalment (age and breed), as well as clinical signs, such as the characteristic stridor. To confirm the diagnosis, an upper airway examination is performed. (This is what we did with Charlie.)
It is very difficult, if not impossible, to look into the back of an awake dog’s throat to see the structures in question. That’s why dogs are sedated, usually with an anesthetic drug called Propofol. (Probably the same short-acting anesthetic you had if you’ve had a colonoscopy.)
Examining a dog’s larynx
After Charlie was sufficiently sedated to allow me to override his gag reflex and get a good look at his larynx, I injected a drug called doxapram into his IV catheter. This stimulated him to take several breaths. During this short window of time, a lighted laryngoscope was held in the mouth so I could observe his cartilages.
I diagnosed Charlie with bilateral laryngeal paralysis because neither of his cartilages moved.
A video of a dog with laryngeal paralysis
Although the video below is not of Charlie, it represents exactly what I saw on his exam. To help you acclimate to the video, the dog’s soft tongue is in the foreground. The arytenoid cartilages are the somewhat draping structures in the back of the throat—almost like curtains hanging in a dark window.
Sometimes lar par presents as one side moving and one side paralyzed. Sometimes there is partial paralysis—where movement is present, just not to the degree we expect. Other times, as you’ll see in this video, the cartilages look like statues. They are frozen in place. (This was the situation for Charlie.)
Here’s the real problem with this disease and why this blog post really matters—sometimes the diagnosis isn’t made before a crisis occurs. When dogs need to cool off, they pant. In warm climates, this is especially important.
In a dog with lar par, the obstruction of the airway makes cooling difficult and rapid overheating (heat stroke) can occur. I have seen dozens of dogs in my career in this condition, and it is heart-wrenching.
When I diagnose laryngeal paralysis in one of my patients, I always ask the owners if they are willing to move to northern Alaska. I’m only half joking. Because of the cooling mechanism failure described above, the heat is brutal for these dogs, and what’s even worse is the humidity. I practice veterinary medicine on the swampy coast of South Carolina. Need I say more?
Why is seeking medical care critical if you suspect lar par?
If you have a senior dog who suddenly seems to be in a loud respiratory crisis on a hot, humid day, you have a true veterinary emergency on your hands. Don’t panic. Seek veterinary care immediately. Do not take a “wait and see” approach, since heat stroke in dogs can be very serious and time is of the essence.
There are not a lot of times in veterinary medicine where I truly believe seconds count for your dog. This is one of them.
Once your dog is stabilized, which can be a long and challenging task, your veterinarian will discuss treatment options for lar par or GOLPP. Neither condition is “curable.” However, often they can be managed.
How do you treat laryngeal paralysis in dogs?
If the laryngeal paralysis is relatively mild, supportive therapies can be tried.
Supportive therapies for lar par include:
- Minimizing excitement/stressful situations and administering sedatives as needed to facilitate calmness.
- Avoiding hot, humid weather (i.e. cranking up the AC and staying inside during the hottest and most humid parts of the day).
- Using harnesses rather than neck leads and collars.
Additionally, there are anecdotal reports that doxepin, a tricyclic antidepressant, can help. No studies have thoroughly evaluated this, but some reports estimate improvement in up to 75% of patients. I have also found it to be helpful in my patients. The mechanism by which it works for lar par is unknown.
Surgery for laryngeal paralysis in dogs
If symptoms worsen or cannot be managed conservatively, a surgical treatment option exists. The procedure is called tie-back surgery. It can be very successful, but it’s not without risk. It is usually done by a board-certified veterinary surgeon because the canine neck is full of important blood vessels and nerves.
The surgeon will approach the larynx through an incision on the dog’s neck. One of the cartilages will be “tied back” so that it is permanently open and not obstructing air flow. The other will be left alone, even if both cartilages are involved.
What happens after laryngeal paralysis surgery?
The good news is that dogs with lar par immediately breathe better after surgery and are able to lead more normal lives. The bad news is that about one-fifth of dogs who have this procedure will get aspiration pneumonia. Since the cartilages serve as a “gate” to protect the airway, if one is tied open, then aspiration of fluid and food into the lungs is possible. As a result, dogs with a tie-back surgery must be closely watched for signs of aspiration pneumonia.
Signs of aspiration pneumonia following tie-back surgery include:
- Lethargy
- Change in appetite
- Fever
- Nasal discharge
- Coughing
- Changes in respiratory rate or effort
How to manage aspiration pneumonia
Changes in feeding and antibiotics (when warranted) can help manage aspiration pneumonia. And in all fairness, it’s important to note that esophageal dysfunction (often a fundamental component of the dog’s GOLPP) also plays a role in the development of aspiration pneumonia, not just the tie-back procedure. Many of these dogs have a dilated, flaccid esophagus (called megaesophagus in dogs) that increases the risk of regurgitation and aspiration pneumonia.
But there’s a deeper issue to consider. Most dogs with lar par probably have a polyneuropathy (GOLPP) that will worsen with time. Since the cause of GOLPP has not been discovered, treatment is aimed at supportive care.
Tie-back surgery will help treat the laryngeal paralysis, but we also need to address the “whole dog.”
How can you support the “whole dog” following a lar par diagnosis?
In addition to managing lar par, here are three options you can consider for the well-being of the whole dog.
1. Improve your dog’s gait and stability.
Dogs with lar par as a component of GOLPP may have trouble rising and may stumble easily. Our company’s signature product, Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips® dog nail grips, can improve the dog’s traction on slippery floors. In fact, ToeGrips may also provide increased proprioceptive stimulus—helping the neurons from the weak hind end make connections with the central nervous system. This aids the brain in knowing how the feet are positioned, thus improving the dog’s overall gait and stability.
2. Consider a Bailey chair.
One study estimated that two-thirds of dogs with GOLPP also have trouble drinking and eating as the disease progresses. If your dog is struggling with swallowing issues and subsequent aspiration pneumonia, your veterinarian will likely discuss changing the consistency of your dog’s food and using a Bailey chair. These measures help prevent the pooling of food in the esophagus, regurgitation, and aspiration pneumonia.
When a dog is standing on all fours and eating, the esophagus is essentially horizontal, making it easy for food to get trapped in a poorly functioning esophagus rather than transported to the stomach. A Bailey chair holds a dog upright while eating which makes the esophagus mostly vertical. This change in positioning takes advantage of gravity to help the food slide down the esophagus and into the stomach.
3. Offer protection from the heat and humidity.
Finally, I cannot stress enough the importance of protecting these dogs from heat and humidity. As veterinarians, we rarely make this diagnosis in the winter. When the heat and humidity get bad, these poor older dogs begin to fail and often present as emergencies.
Charlie’s legacy: spreading awareness of lar par to help other dogs stay safe
Sadly, Charlie’s story does not have a happy ending. One hot, humid summer day, Charlie left his home through a doggie door while his family was out. The combination of his weak hind end plus a respiratory crisis in the sauna-like weather caused Charlie to collapse outside.
He wasn’t able to make it back inside the doggie door to the protection of the air conditioning, and he wasn’t able to pant effectively to cool himself down. His mom came home to find him flat out in the backyard. Devastated, she rushed him to us. His temperature upon arrival was 107°F. (A dog’s normal temperature, which is one of five dog vital signs, is between 100-102.5°F.) Our team tried our best, but we could not save him.
At the time, I could find no silver lining in the tragic loss, and I cried with his mom until we had no tears left to cry. But perhaps in writing his story, his legacy will live on to help another dog stay safe.
What to do if you think your dog has lar par
- Make an appointment with your veterinarian.
- Anticipate your vet will want to perform a laryngoscopic exam to confirm the diagnosis.
- Keep your dog cool at all times.
- Minimize stress/excitement.
If your dog ever demonstrates signs of respiratory distress, seek veterinary care immediately.
While laryngeal paralysis can be a stressful diagnosis, it is not without hope. By knowing the signs, acting quickly, and partnering with your veterinarian, you’re ensuring the best possible outcome for your faithful companion.
For more information on lar par and GOLPP, read: Canine Laryngeal Paralysis: A Veterinarian Answers Your Questions.
What questions do you have about laryngeal paralysis in dogs?
Please comment below. We can all learn from each other.
Appreciate this site. It led me to doxepin which has been so helpful to manage our lab Bo’s LarPar.
He has always had breathing issues. But after a collapse a few year ago started looking into LarPar. He was scoped and diagnosed. We have treated it with doxepin, CBD and natural supplements. This summer has been a little rough on him. So seeking tie back or a silicone stent. Do you have any thoughts on the stent. Seems less invasive but still newer. I am in West Texas Midland. We will have to travel to Houston for stent with Dr. Garner. If we do tie back we will probably go back to Austin, which is where we moved from. Do you recommend any vets in west or central Texas? I remember when he was diagnosed the surgeon in Austin said he did not do them but now he does. So, not sure how many he has done.
Appreciate any advise !!
Hi Jamie,
I am glad you were able to get a definitive diagnosis for Bo. What a blessing the doxepin was effective and helped relieve his symptoms for a while. I don’t have any personal experience with stent placement for this condition, so I can’t offer advice on which procedure to pursue. You may be able to call the vet school at A&M and see if they have a listing (or knowledge) of specialists around the state. There has to be someone closer to your location that has experience with tie back surgeries. You can also see if there is any helpful information in this article: How Do I Find Veterinary Specialists Near Me and What Do They Do?
Hoping you can get your boy the care he needs. Praying for healing and wishing him many happy years ahead.
Thank you for such a great read and Charlie is exactly like my 13.6 year old black lab and going through the exact same situation. I bought shady a cooling vest and he is on Doxepin 1/2 a pill a day but it always seems worse at night and this dog saved my life and helped me recover from addiction and I went back to school and became a Recreation Therapist, I owe him … how do I help him when he is in the middle of a hacking spell and when will I know it’s time to do the right thing. I do not 🚫 want him to suffer or suffocate? Tie back is not an option for him , almost 14 he is too old for surgery. Help me help him please some advice would be appreciated 👍👍
Hi Cherie,
I am sorry your boy is struggling with the symptoms of laryngeal paralysis. I am not sure there is anything specific that can be given during an active hacking spell, but if you can find ways to help him calm down and feel more at ease it would probably help. While it is true that senior dogs can sometimes have other underlying issues that would make anesthesia riskier, age alone is not a deterrent to pursuing surgery. It might be worth speaking with a surgeon and getting their expert opinion on whether your pup would benefit from the tie back procedure. It can be hard to determine when is best to say goodbye. I do think it is better to let go one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. Hoping you can find the best way to maintain your sweet boy’s quality of life. Bless you both. ♥
1. Is My Dog Too Old for Surgery?
2. Doxepin & Non-Surgical Management of Canine Laryngeal Paralysis
3. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
4. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Thank you for the article on GOLPP. My rescue golden, Hudson, aka Huddy Buddy, was (we think) 14 – 15 years old as of this last April 2024. We rescued him from a kill shelter in March 2012 – he was only 30 lbs, heart worm positive. We have no children. He was our everything and grew to be super happy and healthy. He was diagnosed with GOLPP Sept. 2023 when we started noticing changes in his breathing and barking. His GOLPP management involved giving him Trazadone prior to something that could over-excite him or if he just seemed to be having a breathing episode. Early April 2024 we came inside and noticed he was in respiratory distress and immediately got him to our vet. She thought he had some kind of allergic reaction, but we had not idea what could have caused it. He lived inside – the sliver platter life he deserved. He survived it, but seemed to struggle more after that emergency with mobility, fatigue, some breathing episodes which Trazadone helped along with laying with him. He had a great appetite, still wagged his tail, still seemed very happy. Our vet is a good friend and we boarded Hudson with him April 27, 2024 before we went on vacation knowing he was where he needed to be if there was a problem. Two days later, Hudson was found dead in his cage when they opened. We have been beyond devastated, also suffering the guilt and regret for not being there. He was our baby for over 12 years. Our vet said it was perhaps cardiovascular failure, given the boarding area is very clean and cool. My fear is he suffocated from GOLPP and therefore suffered in his last minutes. My question is, can GOLPP also adversely affect heart function? Thank you, we’re looking for all the comfort we can find.
Dear Gaye,
My heart aches for you as you grieve the tragic loss of Hudson. I am not sure there is much I can say to lessen the pain other than it is clear he was dearly loved and lived a wonderful life. I am not aware of GOLPP causing heart issues but that’s not to say a cardiovascular event didn’t occur. I have seen many patients succumb to heart issues that were undetectable until the fatal event occurred. I am sure the veterinary staff (and your friend) are equally as devastated this occurred and wish they had more answers to offer. I hope with time the grief will begin to fade and your heart can start the healing process. May Hudson’s memory stay with you always and continue to be a blessing in your life. ♥
The surgeon we spoke to said he does the tie back on the right side, where I’ve mostly read about it being done on the left side. Does it matter at all if it’s bilateral?
Hi Lisa,
This is a great question. If the condition is bilateral then either side should be equally effective. There is no benefit to one side verses the other that I am aware of. Hoping your pup’s surgery is successful and wishing you all the best!
Our 12.5 year old 90 lb (muscular) yellow lab was diagnosed with larpar around age 11. In the last year, he has gone from daily 3 mile walks to none at all. This past 2 weeks he developed paralysis in his right hind leg (he mostly drags it), started stumbling and has problems getting up. He whimpers when lying still sometimes, but still wags his tail when we interact with him and eats like a lab. We feel it’s too late for surgery – maybe we should have done it a year and a half ago but the vet was not encouraging. What can we expect for progression of the paralysis? Thanks in advance for your excellent resource and compassion.
Dear Erwin,
I am so sorry your Lab is showing a decline in his health and mobility. Please know that even if you had pursued surgery for the laryngeal paralysis, it would not have prevented the hind limb paralysis from progressing. That is unfortunately what ends up forcing owners to make difficult choices about quality of life. There is really no way to know how fast the paralysis will progress. Each dog is different, and you will just have to take things day by day. I will attach links to other articles with more information on how to know when it is time to say goodbye. Make the most of the time you are gifted, and I pray for your strength and comfort as you navigate this emotional path.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. When to Euthanize a Dog With Arthritis: A Vet’s Heartfelt Advice
Thank you for posting this informative article. Our 13 year old pit bull hound mix started having these coughing episodes and exertion intolerance about a year ago. We mentioned the issue to our vet and she said it was lar par and didn’t elaborate. About a month and a half ago she started having crisis episodes where she stopped breathing completely that were triggered just by her being excited to us coming home. She had a 4th episode which was so severe and long her gums and tongue turned blue and she was totally lifeless. She spontaneously started breathing as we rushed her to the vet. After that we started researching and began understanding the severity of lar par and what these episodes were. We immediately called a veterinary surgeon and our sweet girl had the tie back procedure this past Tuesday. In addition to decreasing all stimulation and activity we purchased pawoxygen with a prescription for our vet so we would be more prepared if another crisis occurred. We are in the early healing stages and she is still coughing post procedure. We are doing meatball feedings by hand and hoping the coughing will improve through the healing process. To anyone on the fence about the surgery I would encourage you to do it if it’s an option for you and your pup. Our girl only had what they consider moderate lar par with bilateral paralysis but those crisis episodes began out of no where and were almost her death sentence. Informative articles and comments like this helped us understand what steps we could take to give her the best quality of life with her diagnosis. Thank you to Dr. Biz y for such great information and for other sharing their stories. You helped us save our girls life.
Hi Micayla,
I am so sorry you had to experience those scary life-threatening episodes with your girl. What a blessing you were able to get a diagnosis and the surgery was successful! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. How is your pup doing today? Hoping she was able to make a full recovery and is enjoying life. I appreciate the kind words. ♥ Wishing you all the best and feel free to leave an update if you have a chance!
Hello,can.Pugs.get.these.conditions.
My.Pug.went.off.his.food.and.he.loved.his.food.so.I.knew.something.was.wrong.he.was.also.panting.heavily.at.night.stretching.his.neck.and.head.and.is.reluctant.to.rest.his.head.down.to.sleep
it.was.recommended.a.few.year.back.that.he.should.have.his.soft.pallet.operation.but.declined.for.several.reasons.
He.also.had.a.knee.injury.had.absences,(one.or.two.a.year)and.showed.signs.of.nerve.damage.to.his.left.foot.
I.lost.my.boy.now.but.Im.questioning.if.I.did,the.right.he,was,12
Dear Jane,
I am sorry for the loss of your senior guy. While any breed can be affected by laryngeal paralysis, it is much more likely that your boy was dealing with the effects of brachycephalic airway syndrome. The term brachycephalic refers to any breed with a flattened face/muzzle. Along with this different facial anatomy they usually also are affected with very narrow nares, a long soft palate, and a narrow trachea. All this together can lead to difficulty breathing and even fatal respiratory distress under the right circumstances. Unfortunately, since I did not have the opportunity to evaluate your pup, I can’t make specific conclusions. You may never know for sure what lead to his passing. But I hope with time your heart will heal and you can focus on the fact he was well loved and lived a happy life. May his memory be with you always and be a source of joy in your life. ♥
Hello..my 8 yr old blue nose pit recently had an acute episode which was diagnosed as lar par..the emergency vet hospital suggested the tie back surgery…i feel like she has had changes in her breathing for a while…excess snoring and occasionally coughing up her water and this episode was a major event..her temp went to 106 and her tongue was purple…i was leaving the vet speicalist after an eye condition and due to her stress with the car ride and visit she had a full blown attack…luckily i was able to turn around and get her back where she had life saving intervention… my vet said there is a higher risk for her and we can medically manage it for now but im always looking for integrated care as well….after some reading and research i did come across a remedy that helps target the nerves that cause this awful problem..my question is have you ever experienced a resolution with integrated therapies? following is where i found an item linked to an article i read: https://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Relieves-Seizures-Reducing-Function/dp/B01JH1H2LC/ref=rvi_sccl_27/136-2190771-4240761?pd_rd_w=Ypn9c&content-id=amzn1.sym.f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_p=f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_r=ZEJPT7FBZC8WAPS0C0ZJ&pd_rd_wg=oZ9y1&pd_rd_r=11415c98-df2c-442f-b729-d9d006ccc7ed&pd_rd_i=B01JH1H2LC&psc=1
also https://www.drhomeo.com/medicine/causticum-homeopathic-medicine/#Role%20as%20A%20Homeopathic%20Medicine
I appreciate any input…i will also ask my vet about doxipan
Hi Katrina,
I am sorry your boy endured this scary episode and am so glad you were able to get medical attention right away. While I love alternative treatments and integrative medicine, I have never seen these modalities completely resolve laryngeal paralysis. I read through the article you linked and did not see where causticum was specifically mentioned to treat Lar Par. It talked about laryngitis and muscle weakness in the limbs, but these are not the same issue. I hope you were able to talk to your vet about Doxepin and weigh the benefits and risks of surgery. Wising you and your sweet boy the best and praying for a positive outcome.
After having just spent a couple of hours reviewing your website because my 14 year old Vizsla grand dog was recently diagnosed with Laryngeal Paralysis and GOLPP, I want to express my deeply heartfelt thanks for the professional and educational service as well as the emotional support you are providing to dog parents everywhere. Your dedication to your work is just awesome. God’s Blessings to you Dr. Buzby!!
Dear Bonnie,
I am so sorry your grand dog is dealing with this difficult disease. I am glad you found the information here helpful and comforting. Thank you for sharing your feedback and especially for the kind words. Praying for relief for your sweet pup and a clear path forward. Best wishes and bless you! ♥
Hi Dr. Buzby, my 5 year old husky was diagnosed with congenital lar-par about a year ago and went through tie back surgery as well. I am wondering about the prognosis for congenital versus geriatric lar-par – will she also eventually have hind limb weakness etc.? I have started to notice her tripping on her back paws sometimes when going up steps, as well as potential mild incontinence although it’s very infrequent. Thank you!
Hi Abbie,
I am so sorry your Husky is dealing with this chronic issue. I did some research, and it does say that congenital laryngeal paralysis is a polyneuropathy (affects multiple nerves) just like the geriatric form. BUT….NOT IN HUSKYS! So strange! Here is a link to a research article with more information: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30272513/
So, it appears that the hind limb weakness you are noticing in your girl should not be related to the Lar Par and another cause needs to be investigated. I highly recommend you talk to your vet and see if they can find some answers. Praying for a positive outcome. Keep up the good work!
My amazing 12 year old Labrador retriever has been diagnosed today with large Par. I am more than heart broken. please can anyone advise me on diet. I’ve read loads tonight and it is a minefield. I need to support his immune system and nervous system . I’ve read soak kibble and a natural diet. Advise please 🙏
Hi Jacqueline,
I am sorry your senior guy is battling this terrible disease. I wish I had some great information to pass along but unfortunately, I am not aware of any specific dietary recommendations for laryngeal paralysis. Hoping another reader will have some insight or be able to share their experience.
Hello,
My 12 yr old male lab Gus has lar par and had tie back surgery about 18 months ago. He is doing fairly well but has had more hind end weakness. I was wondering if the ongoing nerve issues can affect his ability to go to the bathroom, particularly defecating.
Thanks!
Hi Amy,
I am glad Gus’ surgery was successful and he has been doing well since the tie back procedure. Unfortunately, yes, the neuropathy can affect their ability to urinate and defecate. It may even cause incontinence as it progresses. Praying your sweet boy can maintain his quality of life. Wishing you both many happy days ahead.
Yes Thank you so much for this wonderful article My 13-year-old girl lab was recently diagnosed with this disease she has most all of the symptoms now especially the panting and weakening of the back legs Hers started with trouble eating coughing and gagging I did report it but the vet said that all dogs do that when they age ..How I wish it was just that! I found that soaking her kibble in the hot water helps tremendously I try to keep her spirits up with shorter walks early in the AM when it’s cool She used to love to play with all her little stuffed toys and her ball but now she doesn’t want to
put anything in her mouth It makes me so sad and I wish I could figure out what little happy things she would want to do to replace the fun she had with her toys She is not on any medication except for arthritis medicine I wish I had better directions on what to do and when to take her in for medication She is still happy wags her tail and wants to be loved while she sits by me Anyway
thank you 🙏
Barbara
Hi Barbara,
I am sorry your girl is dealing with this difficult disease. She is very lucky to have you advocating for her health and well-being. I think it is great you are looking for ways to keep joy in her daily life. Here is a link to another recent article with information about medication options for Lar Par: Doxepin & Non-Surgical Management of Canine Laryngeal Paralysis
I hope this helps a bit. Praying you can continue to partner with your vet to maintain your pup’s quality of life. Wishing you all the best for many happy years ahead.
Hello, Thank you for this article. It helped me. I didn’t know about Lap Par until 2 weeks ago. My 13 year old lab, Josie was slowing down and breathing heavier using the stairs and excitement. Over the course of one week she started having extreme breathing issues. We took her in and she was diagnosed with Lap Par. We had a difficult decision to make bc of her age and some other health concerns. Our decision came down to is Josie still happy and enjoying life. The answer was yes. We went ahead with the surgery. She had the surgery two days ago and is doing well for her age. My question is is it normal for her to be coughing? I’m not sure if it’s soreness from the surgery, it just feels different, or this is something she will just do from now on. She’s eating and drinking and in good spirits. I also have a question about hind end weakness. We do have your toe grips but haven’t put them on yet. We will now. What else can we do to help with the weakness? Short walks, Having her sit and stand for treats? Thank you for this blog. It is so helpful and informative. It informed me quickly about Lap Par and helped a lot with our decision. We had to give our girl a chance at more quality time since she still had a quality life. I don’t know what the future holds but we are thankful for right now. Thanks, Betsy
Hi Betsy,
I am so glad the surgery was successful, and your girl seems to be healing well. Some coughing after surgery can be normal due to inflammation around the surgical site. With that being said, it is a good idea to let your vet know about the coughing as this can also be a sign of aspiration which is a big risk after tie back surgery. As far as the hindlimb weakness is concerned, I am not sure there is much you can do to slow the progression. Lar Par and hind limb weakness are all part of the same syndrome (GOLPP) which is caused by a nerve problem. Since it is the nerves that are affected, you won’t be able to have your pup do exercises with the intention of strengthening muscles for increased mobility. I am glad you are giving ToeGrips a try and hope they give your sweet girl the confidence she needs to stay mobile. At some point the hind limb weakness will progress and she may need more assistance. You might want to look into a harness such as the Help ‘Em up Harness that will allow you to carry more of her weight on days she is struggling more. I am glad Josie was blessed with more quality time with those who love her most. Make the most of each day you are gifted! Wishing you many happy days ahead and give your sweet pup a hug for me. ♥
Our vet has directed us to do exercises with our dog, because keeping the muscles from wasting is very important for slowing the progression. Here is a link to multiple exercises y’all can do at home: https://cvm.msu.edu/scs/research-initiatives/golpp/rehabilitation-therapy
Thank you for this article. We have been desperately trying to figure out what’s wrong with our 9 year old boxer boy. It seemed like his symptoms were all over the place and after 4 visits to the vet X-rays, blood work and a sedated oral exam and CT scan the doctor said he has laryngeal paralysis on one side only. They started him on antibiotics due to fluid in both inner ears. The hardest thing has been that extremely aggressive, retching and hacking throughout the day. It seems like whenever he moves and takes a deep breath. It’s a big effort to puff out the air and then he goes into. It looks like a coughing and gagging fit. We have had a hard time with associating this with a diagnosis, because the doctor seemed very nonchalant about the paralysis, and saying that he probably wouldn’t need any intervention however, at night time the retching and gagging is terrible, waking him up and us up all through the night. He still eating and likes to take his walks, even though he’s relatively slow during them, and looks like himself for the most part, except for the hacking. Is it normal to see gagging and coughing fits in dogs with laryngeal paralysis we were even convinced at one point it was kennel cough.
Hi Alli,
I am sorry your Boxer is struggling so badly with the effects of laryngeal paralysis. Yes, if the paralyzed arytenoid cartilage is frequently blocking his airway, then I would expect extreme coughing and gagging to follow. It may be time to discuss other interventions with your vet. Here are a couple articles with more information that could help guide your conversations:
1. Canine Laryngeal Paralysis: A Veterinarian Answers Your Questions
2. Tie Back Surgery for Dogs with Laryngeal Paralysis
I am hopeful you will find the answers and advice you need to continue advocating for your sweet boy’s health and wellbeing. Keep up the good work and I wish you both the best!
Hi,
My 13 year old yellow lab has lab par/GOLPP. He was diagnosed last spring. I have been keeping him in a cool environment, even during the winter. I thought it would be easier in winter but have found that the heat dries the air too much. I have the A/C on most of the time and live in Texas so it’s relatively easy except on very cold days. The one thing I’m struggling with is the humidity. What are your recommendations regarding humidity and A/C? I feel it’s too humid in my house with the A/C on in the winter so go back and forth between dehumidifier and humidifier. Any thoughts/suggestions would be so helpful. Thank you!
Hi Marjie,
I am sorry your senior Lab is struggling with Lar Par during these dry winter months. I think you are doing a great job of using a humidifier to help make the environment more suitable for him. The only other thing I can think of is maybe he would benefit from trying a course of doxepin? Also, if your pup continues to have issues even after the weather changes, you may want to have him evaluated by a specialist to see if surgery would be an option. Here are links to other articles with more information:
1. Canine Laryngeal Paralysis: A Veterinarian Answers Your Questions
2. Tie Back Surgery for Dogs with Laryngeal Paralysis
I am hopeful you will find the best way to keep your sweet boy happy and comfortable. He is lucky to have someone like you advocating for his health and wellbeing. Wishing you all the best.
Can’t thank you enough for this article. It confirms what we suspected was the case, and that GOLPP was what killed our beloved Wolfhound cross. We are in Australia and had spent just under $10,000 having cat scanned and treated for lumbosacral disease with cortisone infusions. At our request we also had him tested for myasthenia gravis. However our
queries regarding lar par because of his severe breathing issues, were dismissed. He had the classic symptoms of GOLPP described here. – breathing inoisily and weak hind legs. He died in a way we would not have. wished. – having a sudden episode of respiratory distress. As well as being devastated at his loss we are feeling very guilty. that we didn’t push for laryngeal examination. Will be joining the Facebook support group. Thank you again..
Dear Eleanor,
I am so sorry for your tragic loss of your sweet boy. I am glad the article was able to bring you some comfort and closure. I hope the support group will offer a place to deal with all the emotions and grief. Praying for strength and peace for your heart. May the memories of all the good times you shared with your big guy be a blessing as you continue life’s journey. ♥
My GOLPP pup had tie back surgery in June 2021. Since then, her hind end weakness has progressed, but has been manageable. I have also noticed that she has had sporadic trembling in her head and neck area these past few weeks. It seems that it might be getting worse, too. I am wondering if this is likely part of GOLPP or if this is possibly related to something else going on with her.
Hi Carly,
You are right to be concerned about these new trembling episodes in your dog. It definitely could be related to the nerve issues that cause the GOLPP but without examining her myself, I can’t say for sure. I think it would be a good idea to make your vet aware of these new symptoms. If the trembling isn’t frequent, it would be great if you can catch it on video to make sure your vet can evaluate it adequately. I am glad your girl has been doing well and has passed the one-year anniversary of her tie back surgery. Wishing you both the best for happy days ahead. ♥
You mentioned neuropathy being the underlying cause. Is there anything that can be done to ameliorate that? My dog, 8 y/o Dane, has hind end weakness, and her oncologist just mentioned today in passing that she has LP. After reading this post, I feel the two are probably connected. What can I do for the sweetest dog you’ll ever meet in your life?
Hi Jessicah,
You are correct that the two issues are probably related. There is actually a name for it! GOLPP= geriatric onset of laryngeal paralysis and (hindlimb) paresis. Unfortunately, there is no cure, but the two individual problems are managed as things progress. I will attach links to other articles with more information that may be of benefit. I hope you can find the right combination of things to give your big girl the best quality of life.
1. Why Your Dog Is Afraid of Hardwood Floors & 5 Practical Solutions
2. 15 Tips to Stop Your Dog Slipping on the Floor
3. Canine Laryngeal Paralysis: A Veterinarian Answers Your Questions
Hi! My 13 years old golden doodle has Lar Par. Our vet said the risks of the surgery outweigh the benefits considering his old age. In my opinion, he is still playful and energetic, so I believe he could recover well. On the other hand, my parents (his caretakers) aren’t the most attentive people so maybe they could miss catching signs of aspiration?
So the question is: Do the risks really outweigh the benefits? I REALLY want to help him breath better and his ant-inflammatory prescription doesn’t seem to help much.
Hi Matthew,
There are definite risks to tie back surgery for Lar Par, but I do not consider age alone to be a deciding factor in whether to pursue surgery or not. If your senior guy is otherwise healthy then I vote yes to surgery. Of course, the recommended testing and lab work should be performed prior to anesthesia to minimize risks. But if the results are normal then I think you would have the best odds at a positive outcome. I will attach links to other articles with more information and advice. I have personally had senior patients undergo this exact procedure and do very well. I hope your dog will have the same results. Best wishes to you both and feel free to leave an update if you have a chance!
1. Tie Back Surgery for Dogs with Laryngeal Paralysis
2. Is My Dog Too Old for Surgery?
3. Is My Dog Too Old For Anesthesia?
My 13 year old Lab mix was recently diagnosed with Lar Par and I was told to keep her out of the heat, switch to soft food and get a harness. all worked until she had an attack when she got excited when we arrived home. We rushed her to vet and they sedated her and saved her. Her vet pulled her tongue out and held on to it to help her breathe and I made note of that. Well a week later she did it again and this time it was after hours. I started trying to pull her tongue out and my husband being the rescuer he is stuck his fingers down her throat and she threw up and it stopped the attack. And then last night she ran after a deer in our backyard and had an attack so I put my hand in her throat and she gagged and it worked again. I’m waiting on my vet to get back with me on the tie-back surgery but just wanted to see if you had any insight on why making her throw up worked?
Hi Patricia,
I am sorry your senior girl is struggling with these attacks of respiratory distress due to Lar Par. I am glad you are looking into surgery as a treatment option. From what you describe, this may be the only good option for your dog to prevent future issues. In dogs with Lar Par, the two cartilage flaps in the back of the throat that are supposed to close to protect the airway when eating/swallowing become paralyzed. Because the flaps do not open like they should to allow breathing, occasionally they can close over the opening to the airway and become stuck causing a life-threatening episode of respiratory distress. Vomiting causes liquid to be forced up the esophagus and can push open the paralyzed cartilage flaps. This is also extremely dangerous! Since the cartilage cannot close to protect the airway, the vomited liquid is at high risk of being aspirated into the lungs. I am glad this has worked for you in the last two emergency situations you experienced, but I highly recommend you try not to do this again. I hope you can get your girl on the surgery schedule soon and start the process of restoring her health and wellbeing. Best wishes to you and feel free to leave an update after surgery if you have a chance!
My 16 year old lab is suffering from lar par. Most ouf the time she is fine but simply out of nowhere she will have an acute episode. Suddenly not being able to take a breath and vomiting up white foam. It is very scary. I sit with her and calm calm, and do far that has worked but it seems like it may be getting worse. We have tried benadryl to no effect and are gong to try doxepin. Do you have any suggestions for these acute occasions? She is at least 16 and the surgery seems extreme at this age.
Hi Tim,
I am sorry your girl is struggling and having these acute attacks so frequently. Unfortunately, there really isn’t a good medication option for acute respiratory distress other than heavy sedation which would need to be administered by a veterinarian. I recommend you talk with your vet about the pros and cons of surgery. I will attach links to other articles that offer additional information. You may even want to schedule a consult with the veterinary surgical specialist that would be performing the procedure to get their expert opinion. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and your senior girl. Wishing you both the best.
1. Canine Laryngeal Paralysis: A Veterinarian Answers Your Questions
2. Tie Back Surgery for Dogs with Laryngeal Paralysis
We have a lab/pit mix diagnosed with lar par last winter. St Louis summers are brutal, but we’ve found that if we feed him (just one piece of kibble at a time) while we’re outside, it prevents him from entering a full blown attack. We use a training pouch and he’s not had an attack since February. We’ve had instances where one was actually starting, but by feeding him a few pieces of his food, it stopped immediately. Not sure if that will work for others but I’m thankful its been working for our guy.
Hi Jen,
Wow, this is great! Thank you for sharing this with us. It’s funny because I know Labs are food motivated, but never thought about using that to keep them calm and focused to prevent respiratory distress! I am so glad this works for your sweet boy. I hope he can make it through the summer without issue and has many happy days ahead. Best wishes and bless you both. ♥
Unfortunately, I am not in the position to afford a tie-back surgery for my 12 year old lab with GOLP. I’d love to hear ways for making her as comfortable as possible. She also has started eating less and will not touch her kibble. I am feeding her rotisserie style chicken, a few pieces at a time, throughout the day. She has a tendency to vomit if she eats larger portions.
Suggestion are warmly welcomed,
Colleen
Hi Colleen,
I am sorry your senior girl is struggling with the effects of laryngeal paralysis (LP). Finding the right consistency of food for dogs with LP can be tricky. Some dogs do better with canned food made into small “meat balls” and others have to be hand fed. You may be able to add a tiny bit of water to the kibble just to soften it and see if that makes a difference. As for making her comfortable, this is a great discussion to have with your vet or a house call vet that specializes in palliative care. The main goal for dogs with LP is keeping them calm, reducing stress, and avoiding situations that would cause them to breathe heavy/pant. You can also look into ways to help your girl maintain traction and mobility as the rear limb paralysis will continue to progress. At some point, she may require assistance from a harness like the Help ‘Em Up Harness. ToeGrips are also a great solution for maintaining traction with weak rear limbs. I am hopeful you will find the best combination of things to keep your girl going strong for as long as possible. Best wishes and keep up the good work!
Our 9 year old Ridgeback son Badger has developed lar-par… He has developed raspy breathing, struggles in the heat and wrenches/coughs often. We have been able to manage these symptoms reasonably well however we have struggled with him having reoccurring aspiration pneumonia. He has had numerous cases that we have been managing with medication. Do you have any suggestions to help prevent AP? Is it common for dogs without the tie back to get AP?
Hi Ivan,
Sorry Badger is struggling with Lar Par. Unfortunately, it is common for dogs to get AP even without having had the tie back surgery. The paralysis prevents the arytenoid cartilages from closing off the airway when your dog swallows. This allows food or water to go down the trachea to the lungs instead of down the esophagus to the stomach. One of the best ways to prevent AP is to make sure Badger takes his time while eating and drinking. You can use a slow feeder bowl or puzzle bowl to slow him down if he is used to eating quickly. Another tip is to make sure the consistency of his food is just right. If he tends to aspirate more with hard kibble, then maybe he would do better with canned food. Some dogs struggle more with liquids and drinking water. It truly varies with each individual dog. I will attach some links to other articles that may give more insight. I hope you can figure out how to help Badger and make these last years wonderful for you both. Best wishes!
1. Canine Laryngeal Paralysis: A Veterinarian Answers Your Questions
2. Tie Back Surgery for Dogs with Laryngeal Paralysis
3. Megaesophagus in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
My best friend Desmond is suffering from this we believe. Desi is a 15 year old English Bulldog. I am doing everything I can to make him comfortable. I fear due to his age surgery may be out of the question. He has all the signs listed from breathing issues to hind leg weakness. I know there is a neurological element to this. He has also had 3 seizures in the last month. Has anyone else had this issue? I fear it’s something else in combination. My heart is breaking while I write this.
Hi Mark,
I understand how difficult it can be to watch a beloved dog struggle and not know how to help them. I am sorry Desi is having such a hard time with his breathing and seizure episodes. Since I haven’t examined him myself, I can’t make specific recommendations. I am not aware of a correlation between laryngeal paralysis and seizures which has me very concerned that you are observing this in your senior guy. I highly recommend you contact your veterinarian and discuss these worrisome symptoms. English Bulldogs are notorious for having breathing issues due to being brachycephalic (shortened face) and commonly have a long soft palate that can sometimes obstruct the airway. It would be good to have your boy evaluated by your vet to see if he does in fact have LP or if it is brachycephalic airway syndrome. I hope you can find the answers you are looking for and wish you both the best.
Can par par affect a dog’s hearing?
Hello!
I didn’t find anything in the literature about lar par (GOLPP) affecting hearing and haven’t heard of a connection anecdotally either. Some dogs who have GOLPP may also have age-related hearing loss but don’t believe they are connected. Thanks for asking this good question!
Thanks for such an informative write-up.
My wonderful 13.7-year lab has Larpar. He still gets around, jumps up on the couch, and is always happy to see people, of course. His breathing is labored and I only walk him when the temp cools down.
He is shedding way more than he ever has, and he is losing clumps of hair. Is there something I can do about this?
Thank you, Ellen
Hi Ellen,
I am so glad to hear that your lab with Larpar is still happily greeting people and enjoying time on the couch! Without examining him, I can’t really say why he is shedding so much. Sometimes losing clumps of hair can indicate a skin problem or thyroid problem, but other times it is just part of the shedding process. If he seems itchy or you have any concerns about how his skin looks or how he is acting, I would recommend making an appointment with the vet. Otherwise, you could consider something like an fish oil supplement, which can be good for skin and coat health. Learn more in my articles The Benefits of Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids for Your Dog and 3 Natural Supplements for Dogs Like Yours. Hope this helps!
My dog has lar par i use anti nausea medication and antihistamine works super well
Hi Charmaine,
I’m so glad you found something that works well for your dog! ❤
Which one do you use?
Our dog suddenly developed symptoms exactly as described in this post, we took him to the vet and they wrote it off as a respiratory infection , he has seasonal allergies but other than that has never had any serious health complications. He was given antibiotics to help with the supposed infection , since we noticed he was sounding a bit congested and having difficulty breathing when we initially took him into the vet. Things seemed to be going well , he was still a little congested but was eating water and food okay. All of a sudden everything took a turn for the worst, his breathing started sounding like he was trying to gasp for air through a straw, he would hack up and inhale air through his mouth making the most terrifying sound as he attempted to catch his breath. We had planned to take him back into the vet the following day but didn’t get the chance. Although I live in Florida it’s been relatively cold these past couple of weeks and my dog had shown no signs of heat discomfort , only the continued difficulty breathing as well as a sudden lack of desire to eat , even when tempted with his favorite treat , boiled chicken. Despite our best efforts he passed away yesterday in our arms while we tried desperately to help him breathe , not knowing at the time that he had some form of growth in his throat that had closed off his air way. We found out from the vet at the emergency animal hospital we took him too after he became unresponsive. I’ve been trying to make sense of this horrible tragedy by researching , I feel that if I can be better prepared in the future should I encounter these symptoms again that his loss won’t be for nothing. Do you happen to know if laryngeal masses are associated with this disease ? Or was it something else that went undiagnosed ? I cant help but feel as if I didn’t do all that I could to save my best friend and I don’t know how to cope. I would like to better understand what may have been the cause of his sudden passing. When he had his initial check up at the vet he , like Charlie , was behaving perfectly normal, no weird noises , no behavior outside the ordinary , at home he just had a raspy breathing sound which I thought was just to do with the cold we believed he was supposed to be healing from. How could he have suddenly developed something in his throat that turned fatal within the span of a week ? He spends most of his time indoors , only going outside under supervision to use the bathroom and then returning indoors. I don’t understand and I don’t know if I will ever get the answers I need to heal. I feel like our concerns weren’t taken seriously and it cost our dog his life. I knew something was off when he started sounding different but I trusted my vet enough to not doubt their diagnosis.
He was a nine year old German Shepherd and still so full of life, I feel hurt that he was robbed of the years he still had left to share with us.
Hi Lady,
I am sorry for the sudden loss of your Shepherd. I understand how heartbreaking it can be to lose a beloved dog and be left with questions rather than answers. It can be very difficult for a veterinarian to understand the “whole picture” after a physical exam. Many times, we will make a tentative diagnosis based on physical exam findings, start a course of treatment/mediations, and then, after a few days, reassess the situation to see if changes need to be made to the treatment plan. We also rely heavily on our clients to update us if their dog’s condition changes or declines. You will always have the best understanding of what is “normal” for your dog since you share your life with them every day. It sounds like your sweet boy’s condition deteriorated very rapidly and didn’t allow you the time needed to inform your vet of the changes that occurred. It is very tragic when something like this happens but unfortunately it isn’t uncommon especially if you are dealing with a cancerous process. Cancer can seem to pop up out of nowhere and be extremely aggressive and progress rapidly. Since I did not examine your dog myself, I can’t make specific conclusions, but I am suspicious about cancer being the culprit. Laryngeal masses are not associated with laryngeal paralysis or GOLPP. I am certain you did everything you could to help your sweet boy and that you and your vet had his best interest in mind while trying to navigate the tricky path he was on. Please don’t carry around the burden of guilt over his last few days of life. I have no doubt he knew how much you loved him. I hope with time your heart will heal and that his memory will be a blessing to you and your family.
What type of nausea and antihistamine medication do you use
Julie, I have a 9 year old black lab with LP. He has progressed to the point of sleeping 22 hours a day. Getting up only to potty. He only eats laying on his side and must be hand fed. I have to place his water bowl directly under his mouth for him drink while he is laying down. While he is lying down I do not hear him having any difficulty breathing but as soon as he stands up he starts gasping. Is it time to euthanize? I can not afford surgery. I certainly do not want him to live in pain or be unable to breathe. I just don’t know what to do.
Brenda,
It is so heartbreaking to watch your beloved dog start to decline and to wrestle with the decision of when to euthanize him. I can’t make that decision for you, but I can point you towards some resources that might help. The following blogs help address that question: Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say GoodbyeHow Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt MessagesSigns Your Dog is Dying: A Caring Message to Bring You Peace. The things you are describing are definitely concerning, so I would also recommend that you make an appointment with your veterinarian so he or she can evaluate your dog, discuss his quality of life, and help you decide when it is time to let him go. May you find peace as you struggle with this difficult decision.❤
Hi Julie
My cat has been diagnosed with lar par and its apparently very rare . Are you able to help direct me to any sites for more information about cats? Thanks in advance for taking the time to respond.
Hello Cole, I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. It is indeed rare. I’ve never seen a case in clinical practice. I did find this research article that was published in 2000 in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, so I trust there has been medical advancement/learning over the past 20 years: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10754671/
This was the best resource I could find to recommend to you: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-cats/laryngeal-disorders-in-cats
Your best bet is going to be to work closely with your veterinarian for medical treatment and referral to a board certified surgeon if surgery is recommended. I hope this is helpful and wish you all the best! ♥️
Thank you so much for the article!
As everyone has said it is the most comprehensive and helpful.
Our 16+ yr old Mexican rescue lab mix “Mef”has been having classic symptoms of larpar ( she had ACL surgery when she was 3 so we assumed arthritis or scar tissue etc)) but recently started the awful wheezing and choking when eating. Our vet said only way to truly diagnose is with sedation and she’s really not a candidate.
I am concerned she will give up eating because it’s so stressful for her and also worry about aspiration of course.
My question is – would softer or wet food be better than the kibble?
After reading this article and all the posts I am switching her to elevated food and water bowls tonite.
Thank you for all you have done ,
Tam
Hi Tam, Thanks for your kind words. Yes, I would experiment with food consistency. She may do best with a “gruel”-like consistency. Others do best with meatballs. Still others seem to tolerate kibble and normal feeding practices. Please check out the Lar Par support FB group for more details. ♥️
Thank you for sharing this. We just got the GOLPP diagnosis for our 11 year baby girl yellow lab today from her neurologist who she sees to help monitor her seizures. She’s had a cough and hoarse breathing for over a year but when we asked the vet about it they said her lungs sounded clear. Her new neurologist today said her back legs are also exhibiting and signs that confirm the diagnosis. She’s our baby and so we already treat her like a person, but I want to make sure we do all we can to help her. Once it starts affecting the back legs’ reflexes, how soon does it get worse? We lost her sister 2 years ago to sudden aggressive cancer and so I want to make sure I’m not caught off guard again by a diagnosis. .I’m wondering if you recommend exercises to help keep her back legs strong? It seems like you recommend joining the FB group, and I’d love to, if it’s still a thing. How do we find it? Thanks again for sharing this info and your expertise. We really appreciate it.
Hello Holly, YES! You will love the Laryngeal Paralysis (LP) Support Group (Dogs): https://www.facebook.com/groups/813747918695610/
I’m not able to predict a progression of disease, but I definitely support your thought to work with a veterinary rehabilitation professional on PT and home exercises. You can find one here near you. They are just awesome practitioners! https://rehabvets.org/directory.lasso
You are very welcome and many blessings to you and your pup! ♥️
The FB Group is still open and the people are fantastic. My girl Hidye has had 4 respiratory distress episodes and the last 2 required cpr, so I recommend that you become OK with putting your mouth over pup’s nose and mouth if you’re not OK with it already. The way I did it is not text book but it brought her around both times. I kept her standing with my hands under her chest to push because trying to lay her down caused more distress, but I closed her mouth and .gave her 3 strong blows of breath into her nose aternated with 3 firm upward pushes to her ribs and repeated 4 times until she came out of distress.
Eliminate things that get her excited, in my case, the mail carriers, so I keep the curtains draen so she can’t see them. I also keep her as cool as possible at all times even if I’m freezing. It seems like the colder I am, the more comfy she is ?. Unfortunately. I haven’t found a solution to the rear weakness but the wheels she’s getting in a couple weeks could help.
We have a 2 year old black lab. He has lost his vigor during the hot weather but definitely displays the symptoms of laryngeal paralysis. Is it possible get it at such a young age. He cannot run as before and basically sleeps most of the day and night. Never whines, hardly ever barks.
We do our best to exercise him for weight control but it is very challenging. He just sits in the shade and refuses to walk with us.
Thank you
Hello George, It would be odd for him to develop GOLPP at 2 years of age. The very name has the word “geriatric onset” in it. However, it definitely sounds like something is going on and I’d encourage you to make an appointment with your vet asap to get to the bottom of it for your dog’s sake. Thanks and please let us know how it goes!
I have a male German Shepherd who I believe has LP. Your article describes his symptoms to a tea. I will be making an appt with his vet on Monday! The breeder told us his parents had never been bred before. I noticed about a month ago his bark had a changed, but he still could howl out a deep bark. The last couple of days, I’ve noticed his hind legs aren’t working as well and he kind of tripped going onto the patio which has a little lip to it. I’ll be taking him to the vet this coming week! I believe he does has LP and am wondering he has the neuropathy you talked about in this article. Are they 2 different diagnosis? Can a dog only have LP and not the neuropathy? Does LP cause the neuropathy in other parts of the body. If they are having symptoms of both, what is the prognosis? Thanks! Your article was extremely helpful!!
Hello Tonia I’m glad the article was helpful and that you are pursuing an exam with your vet right away. We used to only call it LP (laryngeal paralysis) and only in recent years have come to understand it as the GOLPP phenomenon discussed in the blog. Yes, a dog can have LP without GOLPP, but I would deem that the less likely scenario, related perhaps to a trauma in the nerves of the neck or something else locally. I think GOLPP is the most likely scenario for senior dog, even though the LP component often presents first (and looks like the only symptom at that time). If your vet confirms the diagnosis, I’d recommend joining the Lar Par Support group on FB, where you can read lots of people’s stories and helpful, encouraging thoughts. ♥️
We have a 15 year old Golden Labrador with Lar Par. Would you advise the operation at his age. Obviously the vet wants to leave it up to us, but have others got experience of the operation on such an old boy?
Hello Kim, I just did an interview yesterday with the founder of this support group for Lar Par on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/813747918695610/
Right at the top of the group is a survey by Dr. Mary Gardner that I think provides the best answers to your questions. Plus you can ask (poll) the group too for opinions and support. I am confident you’ll get the help you need there.
All the best to you and your Lab. ♥️
Hi! I’ve been reading up on GOLPP as we have a 12 yr old lab who’s had it for about 7 years. The polyneuropathy is progressing rapidly, it seems, and I’m trying to find any articles to know if loss of the ability to control bowel movements is another stage of this. I’m assuming so, but would still like to hear if anyone else experienced this with their dog.
The thought of euthanasia is heart wrenching, but we know this disease is relentless.
Hello Tina, I’m so sorry to read of your dog’s GOLPP issues. It’s such a difficult disease process to manage. To answer your question, yes, we do see urinary incontinence/urethral sphincter tone loss in GOLPP patients, as well as loss of anal tone. The later would cause the loss of ability to control bowel movements that you describe. There is a very excellent FB support group for owners of dogs with Lar Par which I’d encourage you to join for support.
Thank you for your article! My 12.5 year old newfie/lab mix was diagnosed with Lar Par a little over a week ago and we are heartbroken. Her vet said he doesn’t think she would tolerate the surgery well so we are going the Doxepin route which she’s been on for a week now 100mg 2xper day. She has calmed down significantly as far as the anxious panting goes and being restless at night, but is also now no longer interested in food, water or even treats. I’ve talked to the vet and we’re going to try lowering the dosage but I’m left wondering if anyone has experienced anything up to this point and how to know if/when she is getting worse so we know what to expect and watch for. If we can’t find a dose that will bring her appetite back and keep her calm i don’t know what to do.
Hello Ali, I’m so glad you found the article helpful. I know it’s heartbreaking when our loved ones are diagnosed with medical issues, but now you have answers and can move forward with helping your dog. There are a long list of side effects with Doxepin, though most dogs seem to tolerate it well. One of the side effects is decreased appetite, and getting her eating is priority one. Another reason dogs stop eating is aspiration pneumonia, which can be a secondary issue to Lar Par. So please work closely with your veterinarian during this time to get her back on track. If you find that she just can’t tolerate medications and is struggling, doing at least a consult with a surgeon (at a referral center or a vet school) to talk about options might not be a bad idea.
I’m sorry your girl has to go through this.
Check with your vet to see if Theophylline will work for her. Our old girl has been on it (1 pill 2X a day) for 5+ years along with a thyroid pill and her laryngeal paralysis has been pretty well managed. The polyneuropathy is the part we can’t control. We use carprofen and (a low dose of) gabapentin to manage symptoms, but the muscular deterioration is relentless.
Hi Ali, I have a 14 year old lab with GOLPP. We are interested in trying Doxepin. I would love to hear an update on your pup and how s/he is doing. We have consulted with two surgeons recently and are torn. I’m hoping the least invasive route will improve her quality of life. Thanks!
Hi. My 11 year old Boxer has LP and thyroid carcinoma. She is currently doing chemo treatments. My question is will the symptoms on the LP help once the tumors start to shrink? She was just diagnosed with LP in July this year. Shes having difficulty breathing and I think it’s also partially due to the tumors pressing on her trachea. Also is there a specific diet you should feed dogs with LP? I noticed Sadie doesn’t eat most of her food unless I wet it. She has been scattering her dry food all over the floor.
Hi Carey, true GOLPP is a neurologic disorder and unrelated to her thyroid carcinoma. However, I tend to agree with you that in addition to LP she probably also has some mechanical obstruction in the throat area from the cancer and perhaps treatment will yield an improvement in her LP symptoms. I would definitely defer that question to your regular vet and oncologist as they will likely be able to give you a more precise answer, knowing her case in detail. I don’t typically require a diet change for these dogs, but I do recommend elevating food and water bowls to chin height.
My dog Duke of Earl is a 13 yr old Black and Tan Coonhound he has been seen by a neurologist for issues related to his hind end/legs. After a MRI and CT scan they determined he had spinal stenosis and was scheduled for surgery to notch out the area of spinal that is causing compression. He was put on a taper down does of Prednisone because his liver functions go crazy when he is on a steroid. He was scheduled for the surgery but while waiting for that day we noticed a change in his bark and after barking for a few minutes he seemed to sound like he would begin to struggle to get air and his bark would sound shallow. We took videos and did see our vet and also informed the neurologist of his breathing. Our vet believes it is LP and put him back on a taper does of Prednisone. The neurologist put off his surgery and wants to asses his breathing by putting him under and looking down his throat. This will be on Dec. 3rd. He said if he has LP and it is nerve related the spinal surgery will not help because the leg and hind end issues could be nerve related to the LP. Duke is pretty laid back for a coonhound. He actually hunts nothing and loves all animals. He has always been a couch potato. We are doing all the things we can to help limit what triggers any excessive barking and over excitement. The one thing that is a trigger for this is our other dog Peggy Sue. It relates to jealousy and food. I never taught my “kids” what bark means so it has been hard to teach him not to bark/speak when it gets excessive to where he struggles to breath. He always has ate from a elevated food dish, hated hot weather and prefers to be in the air conditioning slouching on the bed or couch. So those things are easy to handle but the relationship between him and Peggy Sue when it relates to food or the couch, bed, us etc.. is hard because it is always a barking argument until one gives up. I have noticed his rear legs are getting worse so while i work on calming his barking issue i am terrified of what to expect as he loses his ability to use hind his legs. The bow out wgen he walks and they are almost completely straight causeing a sway back. We use tread strips and have rugs everywhere to help. He still acts as if he has no problem but is slower and moans a lot once he is already down trying to get comfortable. I dont know how to help him maintain as much mobility as possible. I do t know what to do if he no longer can use his hind legs i will do whatever is best for him. His eating is excellent , his eyes, hearing his mental state and love for life has not changed. He has no arthritis that impedes his abilities. I can’t imagine giving up on him because of the possibility of LP and loss of mobility related to LP. What do i do to manage and help Duke live with the changes and possible complete loss of the use of his rear legs. I have researched LP and the tie back surgery and it’s risks but as it relates to the vhanges in his muscles and mobility i dont know what to do. I see pets live good happy lives when the lose mobilty am i wrong to think i can still do something as it progresses to give him a good life. I love him sooo much and will do whatever is best for him. My friends say if it progresses to where he cant use his hind legs it is time to let him go. I guess i dont see it that way to me i have to help him with the progression of his “handicap” but find nothing in my research to help me as it relates to LP. I apologize i am all over the place in my comment i just want to do EVERYTHING i can to help him through this. I am at a loss there are no real anwers as to what to do to fix this i guess you could say. Any advice or opinion would be helpful.
Hi Karen, please, no need to apologize! I can tell how deeply you love Duke and how much you want to help him. Given the nature and scope of your questions, I would recommend 2 things:
1. Wait until you get answers (hopefully) on Dec. 3 and then work closely with your vet team to come up with a plan. It’s great that you are proactive and have so many questions. I’d recommend writing down your detailed list of questions to go over with the doctor on Dec. 3rd when he sees you to go over his findings. Also, I strongly recommend joining the Lar Par private FB group, which is a great resource with tremendous empathy and supporty. Wishing you and your sweet coonhound all the best as you sort this out. (My heart dog is a coonhound too, so I totally understand your love for Duke!)
I have read this article about 25 times and forwarded this article to my husband as it is one of the best written ones about Lar-Par I can find. Sadly, my senior dog Bronson has Lar-Par. Confirmed with his vet. He is 12 and I don’t feel the surgery is a good fit for us considering his age, and the possibility of pneumonia, etc. I have noticed the past few weeks of his hind end weakness. It seems to be getting more common as the days go on. I too live in SC, (Summerville) and now that it has gotten colder I was hoping symptoms would be a little easier for him to deal with. They seem about the same. My question is, what symptoms will he have going forward? Will the ones he has now just get much worse? I am trying to figure out what I have to (not) look forward to. Will there be a point where he just can’t get up at all? I am afraid he will be home alone one day (although he’s only alone approx 3 hours, because we homeschool and I work nights, dad works days) and something happen to him where he just can’t breathe at all. I don’t want him to die that way, scared and possibly alone. However, I also don’t want to put him down unless he’s absolutely suffering. How do I know when it’s time? ?
Thanks so much for your kind words, Christine. I’m sorry to hear about Bronson’s diagnosis. To answer your questions, they all progress differently. And it’s theoretically possible that there could be another issue complicating the hind end weakness and not just GOLPP. This is a progressive condition, so I do expect the symptoms to (hopefully slowly) worsen over time. The only time I’d worry about the respiratory situation you describe is with heat, humidity, and/or extreme exercise. If he’s hanging out in your cool home while you are gone, I think it’s HIGHLY unlikely you’ll ever come home and find him in a respiratory crisis. So please don’t lose sleep over that. However, you may come home and find him splayed out one day and unable to get up. ToeGrips dog nail grips (toegrips.com) may be helpful with this. I would certainly give it through the easiest part of the year for GOLPP dogs–winter–before making any significant changes. I also highly recommend the private FB support group for Lar Par. <3
My 11 year old Vizsla Abbi was recently diagnosed with LP. The vet said she wasn’t in distress and that I was probably more uncomfortable about it than she was. He explained Tie-Back Surgery and the complications. He said I could choose the surgery if I wanted, and he would do whatever I decided, but he recommended not doing it, because of the complications. He said he has seen many dogs live a long life with this condition. He also mentioned that I should not allow her to get too hot, or over exerted. I do leave in an area that is very hot and humid during summer months. Except for the occasional daily breathing issues, she seems healthy. She coughs sometimes, and sometimes breaths heavier, but not all the time. Is there any other alternative treatment for LP besides surgery. For example breathing machines? CPAP”s etc, I’m not sure if this would help improve breathing. I could not bear the thought of my Abbi feeling discomfort from not being able to breath adequately. I want to start out with good effort, and be ready for an onset of distress that may occur. However, I would prefer of course, to prevent it. Is there anything OTC that may help to keep her calm instead of prescription meds that are typically prescribed?
Hello Judy, All good questions! I can tell that your desire is to do everything in your power to help Abbi. You are a great mom! Unfortunately, there are no OTC medications or “machines” that would have impact on LP. Even the prescription one that I mentioned (doxepin) is not proven in effect (though I like it!) Thankfully we are out of the hot, humid season now, so I suspect you are out of the woods until the humid days of spring arrive. You have several months to learn and prepare. I would strongly recommend joining the private FB support group for lar par. I think you will get the best answers and perspectives there on your questions about day to day life, and also surgery vs no surgery. I would also strongly recommend that you read through all the comments on this article because I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people who wrote about their surgery decisions and successes. All the best to you both!
We have a 9 year old 90 pound Borzoi who seems perfectly healthy but seems to have lost his voice. When he tries to howl with sirens, a weak squeak is all that comes out (looks heartbreaking frustrating to him). When he barks, it is at half volume and extremely hoarse.
There are no signs of difficulty breathing or dehydration. He is still a giant puppy at heart and extremely energetic when running on the beach. I feel at this point we just need to keep a close eye and see if it progresses…. I do not want to start probing at him and running tests unless there is a specific trearment that would make sense based on certain findings. We are in Hawaii where it is generally warm and humid, but rarely over 85 degrees or so. Thoughts? Should we have a tracheal tube or something on hand in case there is a sudden respiratory emergency?
Hello Marc,
I would strongly recommend having your dog examined by a veterinarian. They may need to sedate him so that they can carefully examine deep into his oral cavity to look at the larynx (pictured in the video in this blog). I would be worried about a voice change like you describe in a 9-year-old dog. It would seem there’s some mechanical issue at the level of the vocal folds. I do think it’s worth your time and investment to get to the bottom of it before it worsens and you find yourself in an emergency. Hopefully your vet can shed some light on this for you.
Thank you so much for posting this. wonderfully helpful article. My rescue boy Hershey is a 10 yr choc lab and experiencing LP-this weekend it got worse- thanks to your comments, I just turned the a/c down even cooler ( we both dislike the heat and humidity) and will ask the vet tomorrow about Doxepine. One thing that seemed to work the other night was the muscle relaxer that was prescribed to him for the arthritis. My vet suspects that he may also have Cushings and he did test positive for low thyroid function but based on his results she doesn’t want to treat that and wants to take a urine sample to check for Cushings- he is the sweetest and best dog I ever had and I’ll do anything to make him comfortable and keep him with us as long as possible. Just trying to navigate the best course of action . Thanks for the toegrips too- I used them on my other lab when he got older and it worked great!
Thanks, Chris. I’m so happy you found the article helpful. I understand the process your vet is going through diagnostically and she sounds totally on the ball! You are in good hands! The good news is that you *should* be out of the woods on the lar par issues (hopefully) until the warmer/more humid spring days arrive. So you should have the winter to get the rest of Hershey’s issues sorted out and treated, which is good. Also, I’m delighted to hear that you’ve used ToeGrips and they worked so well for your other dog. Thanks for that feedback! All the best to you and Hershey!
almost 20 years ago i had a lab/dobie mix. he had bad allergies and was on prednisone most of his life with no problems. when he was around 11 yrs, old, i noticed that his nose was always warm and dry-normally it was cold and sloppy wet. he panted all the time, i also noticed that he always choked when he drank water-didn’t think it was important at the time, he was a food inhaler. yes-it’s another symptom of lp. took him to vet, sid panting and dry nose was from the pred. i didn’t think so but..when his breathing became raspy the vet agreed it was lp, which i had never heard of. agreed to have surgery and was greeted by “frankendog”. his nose was already wet and cold and sloppy again. it was the best $2500 i ever spent! (this was 18 yrs. ago i’m sure the cost is at least 3X that now. i couldn’t afford it today) he never barked again and i had to feed him wet-food meatballs 5 times/day and his last 8 months were happy and comfortable. he was 12 1/2 when i had to put him down from bloat-i don’t think it was caused from the lp, just one of those things. for you big dog owners, i believe the biggest early-warning sign that your dog is bloating is drinking and drinking tons of water, then vomiting water with tons of saliva in it. head for the vet! i learned the hard way. good luck!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Nina! I love that we have had so many people echo your sentiment in the comments–that they would choose surgery over again in a heart beat, given the options. I know it’s very helpful for our readers to hear other lar par stories. Also, thanks for pointing out that bloat is a true, every-second-counts emergency for dogs!
We have a 12 1/2 year old brown lab who had her tie back op done over 2 years ago Generally she has done well she has definitely got neuropathy in her hind quarters but manages well and has 2 good walks a day .However today she was laying in her Bed and luckily I was in the room and saw that her head went back she went rigid and her breathing ceased .This presented similarly to x3 events pre tie back op .I managed to lift her up and rub her and she started to breathe again The question is is this due to he history of LP and general neuropathy, I cannot find any information about dogs having these events after having the tie back op . She will be going to the vet anyway but I just wondered what you think .Thanks
Hi Sally,
I’m glad to hear that overall your lab has done well after her tie back and is still able to get out and enjoy her walks! The episodes that you are describing sound quite scary to watch. I would suspect that they are actually seizures (see Old Dog Seizures: Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Dog) or a syncopal (passing out) event rather than being related to her lar par or neuropathy, but without witnessing the episode and being able to examine her, I can’t say for sure. I’m glad that you are making an appointment for her with your vet (or perhaps have already seen the vet since writing this message). I hope you are able to find some answers for her!
Can this also happen in a 10 year old 14 lbs Pomeranian (is a rescue, could be mix breed)? My Niko is showing the same symptoms that you have described. We noticed the raspy breathing while on a walk, but thought it was from the heat and him being out of shape. But, we have noticed it more on a daily basis now. Had no idea what could be the issue until I searched for his symptoms and ran across your article. I will be contacting his vet first thing in the morning to him checked out..
Hello Diane, I won’t say it’s impossible, but typically GOLPP/laryngeal paralysis is a “bigger” dog problem. There are several other airway diseases that toy and small breed dogs are prone to, so I’m glad that you will be seeing your veterinarian soon! Please let us know more when you can!
My 16.5 year old Cattle Dog mix was diagnosed with LP this morning. She had had some labored breathing off and on and her voice changed late last year. Our vet said she had bronchitis. On Halloween, she got excited over trick or treaters and actually had an episode in which she got stiff and stumbly, peed herself and couldn’t catch her breath, so I ran out immediately and got an air purifier to help the bronchitis. She had 3 or 4 more episodes like this over the mail man and recovered from them all. Last Saturday she got excited over the mail man and had one, but this time was significantly worse- she staggered out the back door, peed, pooped then staggered some more while I was getting her rescue inhaler. I gave her support to keep her from falling down and noticed that her mouth was blue. I gave her 5 puffs of CPR and she improved. She was exhausted, but recovered. I have been keeping the curtains drawn so she can’t see the mail man anymore- it terrifies me to think this could happen when I’m not home to help her. I took her to the vet this morning and he definitively said classic L:P. Bronchitis may still be an issue, but this is in addition to it.
She is in fantastic health. The vet and I are so impressed with how healthy she is and how well she still gets around. We go for walks in the cooler evenings and I take a wagon along for when she gets tired. She can still walk at least 3/4 mile.without problems, but when she gets too slow, I put her in the wagon.
My questions are: I live in Colorado and have an evaporative cooler for a/c. I also have always left the back door open for her to go in and out at will, but now knowing that she has LP and how heat can be so devastating for her, I’ve decided to leave her inside, but am worried about the humidity of the evaporative cooler now. I’m assuming that the heat is the worse of the 2. Is that right?
Also, given her health, she is a good candidate for the surgery, BUT, she is also 16.5 years old. I want the remainder of her life to be of highest quality, but wonder what that remaining time is. The surgery is very expensive, so I’m weighing out the pros and cons of it.Will the remaining time be spent in constant fear of pneumonia and infections? Are there other supportive treatments so avoid it? I will ask my vet about the doxepn, but what is the general experience with it here?
Hello Tami,
You’ve asked some great questions! To be honest, I’m not sure how an evaporative cooler works, so I’m hoping others will jump in with comments on that. I would also strongly recommend asking your vet for advice on this. As for your other questions, please take some time to read through the other comments on this blog. I learned a lot from our readers’ comments and I know you will too. Also, more info and a fabulous FB resource here: https://toegrips.com/canine-laryngeal-paralysis
I really appreciate the article. Our Labrador, who turned 15 this month, started showing many of the classic symptoms of GOLPP about a year ago. It wasn’t until recently we were able to put the pieces together and realize the exact diagnosis. Jake has very labored breathing and through this article I now see the linkages with heat and humidity. And he also has the hind leg issues including the slipping.
Jake has been a very vigorous and healthy dog and we do our best to keep him comfortable. We will try some of the advice in your posts.
Thanks so much, Dave, for sharing Jake’s story. Knowledge is power, so I’m happy to hear that you are on the right track with a diagnosis. Please take a minute to also read this follow up article, because it has many helpful thoughts from other dog lovers who have been through this and share wise advice: https://toegrips.com/canine-laryngeal-paralysis
Blessings to you and Jake!
Hello our 9 yo chocolate lab has been diagnosed with this somewhat by default and lack of any definitive answers by various blood test, thyroid test, inner ear checks, chest X-ray and sedation/visual test of larynx. She started with the cough/gag about 2 years ago and while she still has the cough it has lessened over time. She does have an extreme head tilt and leans to the side sometimes walks with a drunken gait. (It is more one sided than hind leg paralysis). We have recently noticed that one eye no longer blinks and mouth somewhat droops on one side. We have been prescribe prednisone and a sedative, neither of which proved beneficial. We have been to 2 vets for second opinion and neither have provided a clear answer/direction. She is a happy playful dog, still swims almost daily in the pool and eats ok. We have raised her food and water bowl. Are her one sided issues a typical symptom of GOLPP? Is there something else we should check for or do? Thank you for any suggestions.
Hello Allison,
The symptoms you describe after your second sentence are concerning and not typical of GOLPP. If you’ve already been to two vets without a diagnosis, I would speak to your vet about referral to a board certified veterinary neurologist. I would be very surprised if they were not able to give you concrete answers (although more testing may be necessary), to include a prognosis (expected outcome) and best treatment options. Since you describe the symptoms as recently changing/progressing, I would definitely pursue this.
I really think my dog died from this 🙁 no one knew. we took him to the vet five days before his death, after a change in his bark, making weird noises breathing etc. they checked him from head to toe with xrays said he was fine (at this time his breathing was ok). brought him home then 4 days later (after the weekend) we took him in for bloodwork and while there he had a hard time breathing, turned blue, needed oxygen, after that the vets said he was fine and take him home. when he came home he was breathing better but I knew that wasn’t right for that to happen at the vet office. after lunch he started breathing funny again and I called the vet saying something was not right. they said dthey’d call me back, they didn’t. my dog went outside and walked then collapsed struggled for breath and died then and there 🙁 it was devastating to watch 🙁 🙁 after looking online I really believe he had this. had I known before hand I would have not let him die the way he did. I had no idea 🙁 watching him die this way was very traumatic for both of us.
Oh Tanya, I’m deeply sorry to hear about the tragic and traumatic loss of your dog. Unfortunately, we’ll never fully know the truth, because there are other things that can look like this. May God grant you peace as your grieve.
We went through Lar Par with our Chocolate Lab Gracie. I was asked on Facebook if I would kindly share her story here to reach even more people.
Here’s Gracie’s story.
We went through this with our late Gracie. She was 12 at the time of diagnosis. She lived past her 16th birthday. She was not a candidate for surgery and we learned a lot over time and some things were by chance and perhaps Gracie’s story will help someone else.
We had come from the vet’s office one hot summer day with heavy hearts thinking our time was very limited. Gracie was breathing heavy, she had a hoarse bark and was having trouble moving air. Our son called and said he was taking his dogs to the lake and was wondering if Gracie would like to join them. At first we thought we shouldn’t because she was struggling, but then rethought it that if she didn’t have much time we shouldn’t deny her another dip in the lake. She loved it so much. It was her home away from home. We took her and immediately saw how the cool water helped her breathing greatly. It made sense because the vet said to keep her in air conditioning when it is this warm. From then on, we knew to put cool water on her, a cold wet towel around her neck, a cold pack by her, etc., for when she was struggling.
With some research and talking to others online it was suggested to get her on a low dose of prednisone to alleviate some of the inflammation. I talked to my vet who was willing to try it. He said it made perfect sense and her positive results were used to treat other dogs in his clinic. We did 10mg every other day and we could see a difference. I’m sure there could be other dosing schedules that would be beneficial, but that’s what he chose to try for Gracie.
Music, yes, music. We noticed when our daughter played the piano her symptoms became better. She would even lay up against the piano or under our daughter’s seat. We made Gracie her own playlist of comfort music. When she had a spell I would put her in a quiet area and play soft piano, acoustic guitar, and just soft beautiful music. Yes, music does calm the ‘savage beast” of Lar Par.
Back to a quiet room. If we had guests she would get so excited she would struggle. Again, a quiet room and music. Or we would put on the tv in a room and have a soothing show. We would stay and pet her until she calmed herself and could catch her breath.
Use a halter with a front clip instead of a traditional collar, choke chain, etc for walks. *Especially if your dog is a puller. This keeps pressure off of their necks and if they start to pull the front clip will turn them so they can’t pull. When Gracie was first diagnosed I asked her vet about this. Since there is no known cause, most dogs who get this are big strong dogs and many love to pull at one time or another. It’s only a theory, but it was one her vet could not disagree with.
This picture of Gracie was taken that day at the lake after we decided to take her. It was like she came to life as her breathing became less labored in that cool water. That decision was a blessing as it was the first inkling that perhaps we had some control of her symptoms. (I’m not sure how to share her picture on this blog, but in a short description it was like she came alive stripped of her heavy breathing. Her face fully lit up as she played in the water.)
I hope Gracie’s story helps someone else.
Dear Jean, Thank you so much for sharing your detailed experience with Gracie and Lar Par. You made some really interesting suggestions, and I’m confident Gracie’s story will be of help to our readers. Thank you again for taking the time to share this.
I have an old lady Border collie, just turned 14, who appears to have lar par including the rear end polyneuropathy you mentioned. I happened to see your article and found it extremely well-written and informative. As a dog behavior consultant and science geek, I am often maddened by lousy blogging on dog health and behavior issues, so your article was an unexpected pleasure. And, of course, helpful since I have not previously had a dog with this issue. Thank you.
Dear Greta! Wow, I’m so touched by your kind words! My goal in this blog is to help people get accurate yet understandable information about veterinary medical conditions on the internet (which, as you point out, can be a daunting task) and to help dogs get the best care possible by helping their people. Again, thanks so much for your encouraging comment, and I wish you and your senior border collie all the best.
Thank you for this informative article. I had an 11 yr old Boykin diagnosed w/ lar par. Prior to his elderly onset of respiratory issues- lar par- from age 4-7 he had about 7 very mild idiopathic seizures during spring to summer changes. Always inside dog but started keeping him inside during summer days to keep cooler then. He also was Dx with acid reflux as pup so we fed him with elevated stand & smaller meals more often. He did throw up often- more of a regurgitation of food. We did the tie back surgery few mos after lar par Dx. He did well, gained 10 more mos with him. He started going down hill- sleeping a lot, losing weight, dehydrated, did comfort care with vet. Then one night he seemed really tired- at 4 am my other dog (they were best buds- his sister) woke me & found he was standing up but unable to stand/use his right side. Knew it was time. He seemed calm but scared a little & so tired,like he knew it was his time. We took to vet & sent him peacefully on. I often wonder if he had several underlying neurological problems even in youth- his gait was abnormal- little crooked. But he ran & played & seemed happy for 12 yrs. my regular vet didnt know about lar par- my neighbors dtr was in ver school & she was home visiting & I had her listen to his raspy breathing. He went into respiratory distress days later as I waited for vet appt but she had informed me of where to take him for surgery so I credit her for saving his life at that time. More folks need educated on lar par, so again thank you for writing about
Dear Jody,
Thanks so much for reading our blog and for your kind words. Your Boykin’s story is amazing and I’m so thankful that he was diagnosed and treated so that you had extended quality time with him. We learn from each other, and I appreciate what you’ve shared in your comment!
I lost a senior Newfoubdland to Lar Par 15 years ago. He did have the tie back surgery shortly after diagnosis at 8 years of age, and it was reasonably successful. Though he never developed aspiration pneumonia, he did have subsequent difficulty eating and then difficulty moving. He lived till shortly past his 11th birthday. I have read that Lar Par shares a number of characteristics with myasthenia gravis in humans, which is believed to be a neuromuscular auto immune disease. Is there any indication
that some of the drugs used to treat Myasthenia gravis in humans might be helpful in treating dogs diagnosed with Lar Par? (Human patients often receive plasmaphoresis as well, which I would imagine is not a practical treatment for dogs.)
Hello Sally,
Myasthenia gravis is also a diagnosis in veterinary medicine. There is a definitive blood test for MG in dogs, sent to the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory located in the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego. There is not a simple, definitive test for Lar Par, but nerve and muscle biopsies would be useful in pointing to the diagnosis (but nobody does this because it’s too expensive and invasive). GOLPP is really a polyneuropathy, and underlying causes of polyneuropathy could include immune mediated disease. However, as far as I know, because the exact pathophysiology is different, the treatments are too and the MG treatment wouldn’t help treat Lar Par in most cases. However, there are rare reports of laryngeal dysfunction being a symptom of focal myasthenia gravis. In that specific case, obviously, treatment for MG would be beneficial.
I was told my dog probably had this by an emergency vet. My neighbor shares a driveway with me and backed into my dog.
The damage was to her face, eye…
Could this also have caused this, the trauma of the accident.
At the emergency vet, she could not seem to get air and her panting seemed like she was hyperventilating. Two days later she barked and it was totally changed.
The emergency vet believes this is what we are facing, but is also concerned that she is a 12 year old St. Bernard.
She currently has trouble drawing in air…
With any exertion or any exposure to heat outdoor.
Hi Nancy,
I’m so sorry to hear of your dog’s accident. Unfortunately I have no way of knowing the answer to your question. It sounds like you’ve got a great veterinary team working to get answers for your dog. In the meantime, definitely keep your St. Bernard in the cold AC and free from stress. Heat, humidity, and stress could make things worse for her.
I have a 14-year-old greyhound who had successful tieback surgery last year for lar par. Her stridor did not present while she was at the vet’s office (even though she panted heavily from anxiety, no wheezing was present).
It was very thoughtful of you to mention that owner’s know their pets best. I could hear her wheezing at home, even at rest, so I knew something was wrong.
But lar par seems mostly a diagnosis of exclusion, in that wheezing and change of bark can be attributed to other causal factors. Also, my understanding is that lar par can only be definitively diagnosed through a laryngoscopy. So we went through antibiotics (for possible bacterial infection), then X-rays, then an echocardiogram (rule out heart issues), then more X-rays. Almost nine months had passed and summer was coming.
I had been suspicious of lar par at this point but not enough where I would have her scoped. The vet and I were about to do a course of steroids, in case it was allergies, but a question the vet asked me on the visit really brought things home for me; she queried, “Is the wheezing coming from her chest or her throat?” I immediately said chest, but then hesitated. because realized I wasn’t really sure that was the case.
At home, I listened more closely. It was definitely her throat. A laryngeal exam confirmed bilateral laryngeal paralysis. Surgery soon after and her breathing went from something like 30 breaths a minute (at rest) to 12. 12 nice, long, deep breaths. What a joy to hear.
Her recovery was quick, and her personality returned. We are fortunate that she doesn’t have esophageal paralysis, though she has increasing hind end weakness (present prior to the surgery).
Even with the surgery, the heat is still a concern. We take shorter walks, and are always mindful of her breathing. Though expensive as noted above, AC is a must.
Interestingly, our surgeon did a ventral entry, which I didn’t come across much in my research of the scientific literature. She said she did that so that a) if the first tie-back didn’t work because the cartilage was fried she had immediate access to the second flap, and b) she could determine which side seemed the most paralyzed, and tie that one back.
One of the reasons I’m writing is because I did a lot of research on this prior to deciding on the surgery and I have to say that your article is one of the most thorough, well-written, and concise pieces I seen. As a science writer, it’s nice to come across a piece like this. I really like that you outlined the scoping procedure so nicely, and that you didn’t shy away from the medical science but instead explained it clearly. Well done.
Dear Karen,
Thank you so much for your positive words AND for sharing your personal story in such detail. I truly believe we can all learn from each other and I’m positive that your experience will be helpful to another dog owner who may be going through some of what you did. You shared great little nuggets from your greyhound’s story.
“Helping people, helping dogs” isn’t just a tagline for me…it’s a life mission. Your comment brought a few tears to my eyes. Thank you!
I had a 9 year old Irish Setter over 20 years ago that was diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis. I’m sure many advances have been made since then, but the success rate with the tie back was so low back then. My veterinarian chose to do a d -bark surgery. It actually worked quite well. Not to mention that it was considerably less expensive. Thoughts?
I have to thank you, Clancy, because I learned something new from your comment. It never occurred to me that a “debark” surgery, more properly known as a ventriculochordectomy, would help treat Lar Par. But it makes sense because the vocal folds (which allow dogs to bark) do somewhat obstruct airflow. However, the dysfunctional arytenoid cartilage(s), discussed in the blog, is/are a much more significant source of obstruction than the vocal folds.
The reason I was unaware of this treatment is because it’s fallen out of favor in modern veterinary medicine—both for preventing dogs from barking and for treating Lar Par. The debark is a much less difficult and thus “cheaper” procedure to do on a dog, but it’s more risky, associated with more complications, and is less effective for treating the condition. Today the tie back procedure is the gold standard.
I have a female Irish Setter .. 11 y/o .. was slow in realizing the symptoms .. the bark had become very hoarse with noticeable labored breathing .. vet confirmed larpar & recommended surgery .. I learned about doxepin online and have used for about two months .. her bark has returned to near normal & breathing issues are much improved .. hoping for a durable result with doxepin.
It’s great to hear that doxepin (and I’m sure management changes) are helping your dog do so well. We don’t really understand the mechanism of doxepin helping, but I definitely agree from personal experience that it helps in many cases. I hope things continue to go well for you both, especially through this summer!
Are there any studies finding a hereditary link? Our dog passed from Lar Par and so did his littermate who lived in another state.
Hello Denyell,
There is a congenital form of Lar Par which shows up very young, as opposed to GOLPP which manifests mostly in seniors. I don’t know what breed your dog is, but there are tests for the congenital disease in black russian terriers and leonberger dogs: http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/JLPP/ and http://vetneuromuscular.ucsd.edu/cases/2010/April.html As for a hereditary link for GOLPP in older dogs, I don’t know of one specifically, but keep in mind that GOLPP is really a polyneuropathy and polyneuropathies can have many underlying causes. I’m sure some of those underlying causes, such as hypothyroidism, are influenced by genetic factors.
Vagus and recurrent laryngeal nerve hypofunction may respond to chiropractic and acupuncture. I have treated several dogs , some with good success others with no improvement. The Occiput, and upper neck are neurologically associated with the nerve bodies/nuclei of the vagus nerve. Spinal dysfunction in this region causes vagus nerve changes.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Dr. Rosenberg! I have not had success with chiropractic and acupuncture for the few patients I’ve tried, but you inspire me to keep trying! Thank you for making this recommendation for our readers.
My vet said some success has been made with stem cell therapy for this condition. It’s worth looking into with your vet for an option.
Thanks for this input, Cindy. I am not aware of stem cell therapy for this specific condition, nor can I find any references to it, but it very well may be the up and coming thing. Certainly stem cell therapy is now an opiton for a variety of conditions in dogs that impact mobility such as IVDD and osteoarthritis. Thanks for the comment!
Hi Cindy Ebb, Can you please share whatever else you found out about stem cell for this condition? Perhaps the contact for your vet who knows more about it. I would really appreciate it. Thank you Sonali
I lost my sweet black lab named Shadow to Lar Par. We discovered it on a super hot day, when she was running around the back yard and playing with a few dozen teenagers we had over. I left the teenagers at my house and rushed her to the emergency vet. The vet was able to stabilize her and I was able to bring her home a few hours later. We managed her Lar Par with no other events from July until February, when she passed away peacefully in her sleep.
These are things I did to help her:
1. We only let her outside to go potty. Other than that she stayed in the air-conditioned house, which was her favorite place to be anyways.
2. We bumped down our thermostat a few degrees.
3. Doxepin. I did research and discovered there were studies about it’s effectiveness with Lar Par and I shared them with my vet. I believe it did allow us the few more months we had with Shadow.
4. I bought a cooling mat for her to lay on.
5. I switched her from a collar to a harness.
6. The vet prescribed a mild sedative we would give her any time we thought our home would have excitement or we were having friends over.
7. We delayed getting a puppy that we had planned to get—we wanted to keep our home as peaceful as possible.
We loved our sweet Shadow and miss her daily. It has been over two years since we lost her. Due to her age, we elected not to have tie back surgery. At the time of her diagnosis, she was already having some difficulty getting up and she was occasionally stumbling. While at the emergency vet that horrific night in July, the emergency vet pressed me to either do the tie back or put her down. I am so very grateful I did not do what the vet wanted me to do. We had almost 8 more wonderful months with our sweet girl—8 months where she was very happy. I am grateful for those months.
Joy, Thanks so much for taking the time to share Shadow’s story. I’m so sorry for your loss, and yet your perseverance in managing her condition and giving her almost another year with your family is such an inspiration. Your 7 points are excellent! Thank you again for sharing your wisdom.
To Dog Lovers
My lab, Penske, 13 years old, has the LP and the neuropathy in his back legs. He has difficulty breathing, but it is ALWAYS COOL In our house. Once we realized this “roaring or honking” sound was not normal, and our Vet diagnosed it, I learned all I could. PEOPLE DO NOT BE IGNORANT WHERE THIS DISEASE IS CONCERNED. We took Penske to Purdue in Lafayette, IN. All they wanted to do was surgery. I had researched the surgery. Weeks and weeks of VIGILANT CARE is needed. Rest and quiet is required, no stair climbing, and the aspiration pneumonia is a real threat.
We chose NO SURGERY, as he was 11 at the time. He is on Doxepin and sees a veterinarian who specializes only in Chinese medicine. He has been a life saving game changer for our baby. Yes, the expense is there but we don’t care. Penske’s comfort in his older age is paramount. Now that warm weather is coming, AC always at 70-72, he has his own “personal” fans, upstairs and downstairs. He rests a lot. We have learned how to massage his throat in times of crisis, and yes off to the vet he goes. So far, the coolness of the House helps, as does the Doxepin and other things mentioned in this story.
Early in life, Penske was a tough, strong lab. We had a neck collar on him as he pulled and pulled. Looking back we feel we gave him LP because we did not REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF USING A HARNESS INSTEAD IF NECK COLLAR.
Be kind to ur baby. Get him trained so he DOESNT PULL. For now he is happy, and doing well on his medicine.
Larry & Nancy, Lab Lover’s to the end
Thank you, Larry & Nancy, for taking the time to commment and tell us Penske’s story. I actually used to discourage clients from pursuing the tie back surgery for all the reasons you mentioned, but I do think much progress has been made. It’s been lovely to read so many success stories from owners who have had the procedure done for their dogs in these comments. I am delighted to hear that you have found a combination of things that are working well for Penske! Thank your for sharing your insights with our audience.
Oscar, our 13 year old, career-change yellow Lab had tie-back surgery for lar par and for the last year of his life breathed so much easier.The small chore of changing his food, watching him eat, standing, and making sure he didn’t eat or drink too fast was worth it. We felt so guilty because we naively had grown used to his loud breathing because he was always a snorer. Also, we’d nicknamed him, “Dragger” because his rear gait was so unsteady (a symptom of the syndrome.) When the teaching university vet told us he had been breathing through a straw, all the reluctance to go on the country walks he’d previously adored, the lethargy when he usually was into everything- even as a senior, and the stressed and panicky pacing he’d been doing made sense. We were so happy to spend the money to give him a last 9 months of freedom from stress! When he finally told us it was time to leave, it was with comfort and not with pain. We loved that old fool! If only we’d known sooner how serious it was.
Dear Janelle, Thank you so much for taking the time to share Oscar’s story of being diagnosed with Lar Par and having the tie back surgery. I personally know many people who have declined the surgery because of the potential side effects. It’s really nice to hear your perspective and positive experience. Thank you again for taking the time to comment!
Hi Janelle, we also see a vet who specializes in chinese medicine but not he’s getting worse. Can you share some of what is working herbs etc? Or can you share the contact of your vet?
Thanks,
Sonali
My rescued mastiff mix is now a survivor of myasthenia gravis and MegaE. He is also now a senior, likely 9 ish. He has also had 3 unclear margin grade 2 mct’s. His esophagus is basically normal now, but I am guessing he is a strong candidate for lar par? Do you see former mg patients getting this? We do live in Michigan thankfully:). We have hot summer days but we are cool most of the year.
Hi Kelly, God bless you for all you and your dog have been through! There is a documented thought that myasthenia gravis does have the potential to affect the larynx, but I do not think this is a common scenario. So good news…what you suggest is a possibility, but it’s low on my list of concerns for your dog. Monitoring and managing his MCT history would be my #1 priority.
Great article. My 13 year old mutt was diagnosed with LP last year. He had slight relief on Doxepin, but as the weather got warmer, he got worse. He had tie back surgery done and is now living his best life as a 14.5 year old. Surgery can be expensive, but I highly recommend it! It immediately changed his quality of life, and mine, as I didn’t have the constant anxiety of worrying about him.
Hi Liz, Thank you so much for sharing your positive personal experience. As I mentioned above, several people have commented that they didn’t want to pursue the tie back surgery because of possible complications, and there was a time in my own practice that I felt the same way. I’m sure it’s super helpful and encouraging to our readers to hear the slew of success stories from people who elected to have the tie back surgery done for their dogs. I had to laugh when I read that your dog is “living his best life now”! Love it! Thank you for taking the time to comment. I’m so happy for you both!
My Charlie has GOLPP. There is a facebook support group for families of dogs with this condition. There are many articles and tips on there. You should check it out. 😉
Thank you for sharing this resource, Erika!
My springer collapsed after a grooming appointment and was rushed to the ER. She was stabilized and subsequently scoped. She was diagnosed with bi-lateral lar par. In retrospect and after learning more about this disease the symptoms had been there for a while. We also live in the deep south where the heat and humidity are oppressive. We had two options: surgery or euthanasia. Even though she was a senior (12) she was in good health overall. Surgery has given her more quality time with her and she is doing very well now at 14 years old. We are 30 months post op. We’ve had two incidences of AP that were identified quickly and responded to treatment. There is life with lar par and we are living it. Thank you so much for this very informative article.
What a great quote: “There is life with lar par and we are living it.” Thank you so very much for sharing your dog’s dramatic story. I’m so happy that it has a happy ending! And I also appreciate you sharing your positive experience with the tie back surgery for our readers. I wish you many more happy, healthy years together!
My eleven yo Leonberger was diagnosed 14 months ago. We use air conditioning, toe grips, amitriptyline, minimize stress a harness, and I spoon feed him, just to be safe. We also keep an emergency kit of medications from our veterinarian. This saved his life this winter, when a contractor was at my house, increasing Hagrid’s stress. While it definitely takes diligence and patience, it’s totally worth it and I am beyond grateful to still have Hagrid in my life.
Jennifer, Thank you so much for sharing Hagrid’s story with us. You are amazing to be so diligent in his care, and I’m positive that your efforts have extended both his quality and quantity of life. I know the list of what you are currently doing to manage his condition will be very helpful for our readers, and, of course, I love that ToeGrips is on Hagrid’s list! I wish you both all the best. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for this informative article. I had a border collie with GOLPP- symptoms were very consistent with what you describe. Fortunately for us the laryngeal component of his neuropathy never got severe enough to require surgery. His hind end weakness did become problematic though, and the toe grips we got from Dr. Busby’s were a great help his last few months. With good vet assistance and support my boy made it just shy of 16, so there is good hope for those dealing with this problem for extended periods with good quality of life.
Lynda, Thanks so much for the message of hope and encouragement for our readers! I have a special place in my heart for border collies, and I have a special place in my heart for (almost) 16-year-old dogs, so I truly love your story. I’m also delighted to hear that ToeGrips helped with your dog’s hind end weakness. I find that “hind end weakness” is one of the most common reasons I prescribe ToeGrips in my practice. Thanks again for your comment!
Is coughing/gagging associated with this condition? We have a 9.5 year-old Bouvier des Flandres who often makes a coughing noise which sounds like croup or a barking seal. She also gags or wretches but nothing comes out.
Cristina, YES! I would definitely consider what you are describing to be compatible with laryneal issues. Please discuss it with your veterinarian, and I’d love for you to follow up with an update. Thanks!
Just a funny, but idiopathic diseases were – from the clinician’s point of view – that the idiot pathologist didn’t know the cause! haha. A we get closer to understanding the integration with various parts of the medulla, it’s neurological coordination with the cerebellar and cortical portions of the brain that explain the Trigeminal and Cranial Nerves, and their interactions all along the length of the cell bodies and the motoric and autonomic responses to any kind of symptoms along the way, we may one day be able to explain this and many diseases. Great article!
Thanks so much, Dr. Garrett! I didn’t realize we were blaming it on the pathologists! Ha! Yes, hopefully all the studies that are underway now will shed more light on so many questions that we have in veterinary medicine and human medicine relating to the neuro pathways, so we can get answers and be better equipped to treat these diseases!
What is a Bailey chair?
Hi Libda, Good question! Please check out examples here with images and full description: https://www.baileychairs4dogs.com/
What is more effective for panting, melatonin or doxepin?
Hi Cory, I would not consider melatonin or doxepin a treatment for panting. Both are potentially helpful for underlying conditions that can cause panting. But I think the best answer to your question is that you would first want to determine what is causing your dog’s panting. Panting, in and of itself, can go along with hundreds of conditions and can even be a manifestation of pain. I hope this makes sense. 🙂
Thanks for writing such a thorough article. I have been trying to research what may be happening to my 11 (almost 12) year old retired racing greyhound. He’s had ‘speedy’ eating for years which I thought was likely behavioral but also some coughing and aspiration with it. We started giving him two smaller bowls of food with either cottage cheese or yogurt in it to help. (Although lately he’s become all about the green beans—canned or otherwise). He’s always been very heat intolerant but his breathing is worse in the heat and our walks are much shorter this summer. His temperature wheelhouse is in the 50s-60s F. This year I’ve noticed some hind quarter muscle loss and talked to my vet about it. She thought it may be neurodegenerative. He can’t roo anymore—can’t hit the high notes and has started to occasionally bark at us instead (he’s a pretty quiet guy for the most part). I know GOLPP is a diagnosis of exclusion however I’m beginning to think that my boy might just have that.
I want to thank you Dr B for posting this and the dog-moms and dads who shared their stories. We got a cooling blanket for him when he comes in from outside and turn on the fans for him. I will look into the cooling mat and do some reading on the doxepin. Thanks again everyone for sharing your experiences.
Thanks so much for sharing your Greyhound’s story with us, Anita. I’m glad you’re on the right track! I’m also so glad you found this article helpful. My heart was touched by the many detailed comments from our amazing readers. I learned a lot myself!
GREAT ARTICLE!!!!
Being a former Surgical Vet Tech and also having owned several senior Labs, I am all too familiar with this diagnosis. Two of my Labs had it and I live in Florida. My AC bill was outrageous but my pups were comfortable and lived to be 13 & 1/2 years old. The Lp finally became too much for one of them. Tough to watch your babies struggle to breathe. ..
Thanks so much, Jennifer, for your kind words. I totally get it on the AC bill. I diagnosed a senior dog with GOLPP last week and asked the owner what temperature she kept her house. She said 76 degrees, and I told her she had to go lower. It is a really sad end-stage disease, but I’m hoping through education we can help people catch it early and help their dogs live to ripe old ages like yours! Thanks again for your comment!
My dog Hunter had the successful tie- back surgery and gained another five years in his beautiful life. Unfortunately, the surgery was costly but totally worth having more time with him.
Barb, this is so helpful. Several people have commented that they didn’t want to pursue the tie back surgery because of possible complications, and indeed, there was a time in my own practice that I felt the same way. But the comments from people like you, about dogs like Hunter, who had the surgery and went on to have more quality time with their families has been very valuable! There’s nothing as powerful as someone sharing their own first-hand experience. I’m so happy to think that you had 5 more wonderful years together.
Thank you for one of the most comprehensive and understandable articles I have read on this horrid disease. We lost our amazing foster failure, “clown in a Dogsuit”, Labrador, Beau to GOLPP…..not from a breathing crisis as Doxepin did help him tremendously but due to the overall nerve degeneration and mobility and esophageal issues. We have tried to make something good come from his loss by helping others navigate the disease and passing on all the cooling and calming tricks we learned along the way. He also left his DNA at UW-Madison for their study in lar-par/GOLPP and at Cornell for their Biobank and Labrador Health Study. He lives on through the research done with his DNA. And we did use toe-grips for Beau with success too!! I urge anyone with a dog with this condition to join the amazing support group on Facebook.
Dear Ally, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss of Beau, who was obviously deeply loved. I appreciate you sharing Beau’s experience with Doxepin and also recommending the FB support group. Of course I’m thrilled to hear that Beau was helped by ToeGrips, too. There are now several studies underway on GOLPP, and I so admire your attitude in seeking to make something good come from his loss by sharing Beau’s DNA to help other dogs. God bless you!