Belgian Shepherd Dog Association of Great Britain

Hi, I have an 11yr old Terv who has been diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis. Has anyone owned or know of a dog with this condition, and that have had the tie back operation? Thanks

Hi Angela  - my 11 yr old Groen also has this.  I emailed the Northern BSDC and asked the same question and got a lovely reply from a breeder who had a Terv go through the op. - she said it gave her a new lease of life.  Her Terv lived for another year then died from a series of strokes (presumably unrelated to the LP).  There is a lot of info. online about people with dogs, mostly labs, who've had the op and they seem to mostly be very positive experiences - I've been dreading it but am now starting the process - if you do opt for it, very important to go to a specialist (one of the veterinary teaching hospitals, like Bristol for example) and read all you can beforehand as they need very careful management for a good few weeks after, and some care always to avoid aspiration pnuemonia (i.e. not feeding dry, flaky food and raising bowls, etc).  Very best of luck.  Mandy

whoops, sorry, instead of "aspiration" pnuemonia in my last post please read "inspiration"!! (this happens when they breathe in food or water as the laryngx is tied open)

Mandy at May 10, 2011 at 2:25 PM

Hi Angela  - my 11 yr old Groen also has this.  I emailed the Northern BSDC and asked the same question and got a lovely reply from a breeder who had a Terv go through the op. - she said it gave her a new lease of life.  Her Terv lived for another year then died from a series of strokes (presumably unrelated to the LP).  There is a lot of info. online about people with dogs, mostly labs, who've had the op and they seem to mostly be very positive experiences - I've been dreading it but am now starting the process - if you do opt for it, very important to go to a specialist (one of the veterinary teaching hospitals, like Bristol for example) and read all you can beforehand as they need very careful management for a good few weeks after, and some care always to avoid aspiration pnuemonia (i.e. not feeding dry, flaky food and raising bowls, etc).  Very best of luck.  Mandy

Hi Mandy, thanks for your reply. I decided to let my dog have the operation, and went to a specialist, unfortunately, they found he had also got a swallowing problem, which they said would double the risk of  the op, for that reason they wouldnt do it. I now just have to wait for him to deteriate, if his swallowing gets worse, there is nothing they can do, if his breathing gets worse, it will be a matter of deciding whether to risk the op or not. Its such a shame because, apart from this he is very fit and healthy. Thanks again. Angela

Dear Angela

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that - its awful to see our beautiful dogs suffering with this.  If its any help, my homoeopathic vet says many old dogs have LP (usually undiagnosed or misdiagnosed) and most manage without having the operation ... I too saw a specialist, yesterday in fact, and he said that asphyxiation is most likely to occur if they are panting a lot, so after/during exercise or when too hot.  I've got a cool bed and cool coat for my dog and have a fan on him at night - to try and stop any panting as soon as it starts.  I'm also going to try craniosacral therapy, as I found some info. online saying this had helped someone's dog with LP avoid the op.  The person who does it is in Buckinghamshire - if that's anywhere near you and you're interested, let me know and I'll send you her website address.

All the best

Mandy

Hi Mandy, yes I would be interested in the website, anything that may help him is worth a try. As I said, luckily at the moment he is not too bad, but you never know how quickly these things can progress.

Thanks again.

Angela

Hi Angela

Here is the website:  http://www.bucksequinecanineandhumantherapypractice.co.uk/ (she comes to you, as she says this is best for the dog - I'm an hour away from her and she was fine with that) and just FYI this is the website with the testimonial for craniosacral helping a dog with LP (but this person is in the States):  http://www.iahp.com/Sally--Morgan/

Very best of luck with your boy and fingers crossed that his doesn't progress.

Best wishes

Mandy

Hi Mandy, thank you so much for the website. Good luck with you dog aswell.

Angela