Old Labrador with laryngeal paralysis

[tinstar]

My wonderful 12 year old Labrador has had this for a while. She's had the cough and her bark has changed.

But over the last couple of days she's been coughing quite badly. Anyone got any experience of this and any suggestions as to how to make her more comfortable?

My boy had the operation in October. He had been wheezing for over year but it was getting worse and he was getting increasingly breathless on walks. Our vet had recommended exploration and he was booked in when he had a really bad attack and couldn't breathe. Luckily we got him outside and calmed him down and he started breathing again but was taken to the vet immediately and within a matter of days off to the vet hospital for surgery. Despite all the warnings it turns out he's recovered brilliantly - the vet reckoned that most dogs she's seen post laryngeal tie-back have recovered beyond expectation. The risks are there, but they are manageable. We were insured, otherwise it would have been unaffordable (at around £3,000). The improvement has been excellent. He's mute now but no more wheeze and he walks a little bit better.

In the meantime - calmness is key. Apparently they overheat easily (?) so keep her cool and minimise excitment/panic/fear as this puts her at risk of spasm. We feed our boy dry food (and still do - post op) but we put a little hot water to moisten it and he uses a step so his food is higher up and easier to eat.

And seeing as it is customary...

That's really helpful poshjock - thank you.

We have insurance (with eye-watering premiums given her age and the need for a couple of ops in recent years) but I'm a bit worried about putting her through an op at her age. Good tip about moistening food. Vet told us to raise her bowl though she spends so much time snuffling on the ground for anything to eat (and I mean anything) it seems a bit of a waste of time.

Thanks again

I pay £120 p/m for him but I am claiming about 4 times a year now between his arthritis, the operation, infections, etc. He's quite infirm now and only walks about 150m a time about 3 times a day. He is increasingly having accidents in the house but he is also very happy and relaxed. Without a doubt he wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for the op. He had two spasms before the operation, it was a risk (as with any anesthesia) but he's a nervous chappie at the best of times and I couldn't handle the thought of him suffocating as a result of another spasm. As it was obvious that he was still enjoying a decent quality of life the decision itself was a no brainer. I am delighted with his progress and it was not as bleak as the picture was painted to us. Everyone commented how much younger he looked after the operation - and the reduction in breathing noise was startling!

You know your girl, and I know it's an oft repeated phrase, but I think you know what is best for her and your decisions will be made in line with the situation as it changes for her.