Laryngeal Paralysis in a 9-year-old Newf

[ZeusTitan]

My 9-year-old Zeus began exhibiting symptoms about 6 months ago and was was diagnosed with Laryngeal Paralysis after being seeing by his vet. The diagnosis was based on a visual/auditory examination and since then, his condition has declined rapidly.

I've read the section on Laryngeal Paralysis and I want to know if any of you have had experience with this condition.

Is the tie back surgery successful in older dogs? Is it something that we should put him through?

We're really struggling with this right now and could use all of the help that we can get.

I apologize in advance for posting the same question in two places but things are getting worse quickly and we're starting to panic. It's really hard watching him struggle to breathe.

 

[Ginny]

There's another procedure that can be done which doesn't have the aspiration danger that the tie-back procedure has. I've alerted 2paws to your post. Her boy had this procedure and it's been very successful. I know of at least 3 other dogs who have had it, and they, too, are doing well. Some of them are still swimming! Last I heard, there's only one vet in Pennsylvania doing this procedure...

 

[wrknnwf]

Ginny, please share with me as well. Spirit, my rescue, is affected but isn't having severe problems...yet. Due to his age, I didn't go the tie back route, but if there is something newer and better, I'm interested. Thanks

 

[Ginny]

BTAL is the procedure than Dr. Sadanaga performs. Here's a link to a study https://www.researchgate.net/public...opathic_Laryngeal_Paralysis_67_Dogs_1998-2005

There's also a Yahoo group devoted to LP.

Here is an excerpt from what Sue wrote on her FB page. (I'll post this since she's not yet gotten my message).

"The tieback surgery is the more common method used to bring breathing relief to LP dogs. It makes the opening larger by tying back one side of the larynx. It however leaves a gap between the epiglottis and glottis during swallowing. This increases the risk of aspirationpneumonia (AP). Clients whose dogs have this procedure are told not to swim their dogs as this also increase the risk of AP.

The BTAL procedure, in very simple terms, addresses the narrowed glottic opening and mucosal fold hypertrophy by doing a complete vocal fold excision (debark procedure) and using the thyroarytenoid cartilage that is on each side of the larynx as a support to the collapsing walls of the larynx. This provides an increased glottic opening in a symmetrical fashion while maintaining the anatomic relationship between the epiglottis and glottis during swallowing, minimizing postoperative aspiration pneumonia."

 

[wrknnwf]

Thanks Ginny!

 

[2Paws]

Boy, I haven't been on this forum in a very long time. So glad to see it is still going and seeing some of our old timers here. Henry had this procedure done in the fall of 2014. We drove 12 hours to see this surgeon. The clinic, the staff and Dr Sadanaga are wonderful. The clinic is located near Philadelphia. I very highly recommend them.

Henry was 8 years old when this procedure done on him. We decided to go this route as Henry was still young and this type of LP did not affect his mobility. He still moved beautifully and jumped from the boat and pool with no problems. We wanted him to have as normal a life as possible. Preliminary assessment with the doctor was done by phone and videos that I took of Henry. Before surgery, Henry's breathing was 45%. After surgery his breathing is 85%.

Henry has not had any breathing episodes, no aspiration pneumonia and still swims like a fish. I have not regretted having this procedure done on him. It is not cheap but it is well worth watching them be a newf without struggling to catch each breath.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck!

 

[wrknnwf]

Thanks Sue! Don't think Spirit would be able to make the long trip to PA, but I will check with vet schools and specialty clinics here to see if they are familiar with the procedure. Perhaps they will be willing to find out more.

I'm so glad your boy is doing so well! Spirit, my rescue boy, is the same age, but doesn't have the stamina for many things. He's also neurotic as all get out. Lots of silly anxieties that we're trying to work through.

 

[Jeannie]

Jane if you decide to go to PA you are welcome to stop here overnight with Spirit. I think I'd be about half way.

 

[wrknnwf]

Thanks, Jeannie. I'm pretty certain that he would be extremely anxiety ridden on that long of a trip. Even with an overnight stay. The only way I could do it would be to dope him up and then it's difficult to manage him when he's in that state. He's far too big.

I think I'll check around here first. We're pretty much up-to-date in Kansas City (as the song goes). At least in the veterinary field, with several good vet schools with in an hour or two.

 

[Finny]

Our Finn had the tie-back at age 11 and made it another 2 years. It was a hard decision considering his age but he recovered quickly and it was the right decision for him. We had his procedure done here at the University of Minnesota and they were great.

The new alternative procedure is interesting. I don't know if they are doing that here at the U or not.

 

[ZeusTitan]

Wow, thank you all for your responses. I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to share your insight with me. I'm reading through everything now (I'll admit, I was a little nervous to check back in just in case the news was bad).

Thanks for always being there when we need you. You guys are the best.

 

[ZeusTitan]

Jane, I'm in the same boat as you... we live in Chicago, and I'm not sure that Zeus would be up for that long of a drive. I wonder if anyone in Illinois has experience with that procedure.

That's great to hear about Finny. You have no idea how happy I was to read that.

 

[R Taft]

Boy, I haven't been on this forum in a very long time. So glad to see it is still going and seeing some of our old timers here. Henry had this procedure done in the fall of 2014. We drove 12 hours to see this surgeon. The clinic, the staff and Dr Sadanaga are wonderful. The clinic is located near Philadelphia. I very highly recommend them.

Henry was 8 years old when this procedure done on him. We decided to go this route as Henry was still young and this type of LP did not affect his mobility. He still moved beautifully and jumped from the boat and pool with no problems. We wanted him to have as normal a life as possible. Preliminary assessment with the doctor was done by phone and videos that I took of Henry. Before surgery, Henry's breathing was 45%. After surgery his breathing is 85%.

Henry has not had any breathing episodes, no aspiration pneumonia and still swims like a fish. I have not regretted having this procedure done on him. It is not cheap but it is well worth watching them be a newf without struggling to catch each breath.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck!

Just love this, gives us hope for the active LP dogs :heart:

 

[DAWNMERIE]

This info is the bomb!!! Thanks soooo much Ginny & Sue! I suspect LP with Zeke and this gives me such hope, since he's such a fish and I knew I couldn't do the tie back with him! I will start investigating!