In laryngeal paralysis, dogs cannot fully open their airway when breathing in. This leads to noisy breathing, coughing and problems coping with exercise or heat. It is possible to treat laryngeal paralysis surgically, though this is not advised in every case. Your vet will help you decide what is best for your pet.
What does the larynx do?
The larynx, otherwise known as the voice box, is found at the top of your dog's windpipe. Either side of the larynx are the 'vocal folds', and these normally move outwards to open the larynx and help air flow into the lungs when the dog breathes in. When the dog swallows, the vocal folds must shut in order to stop food going down the windpipe. The following video and animation show how the larynx normally works when your dog breathes.
Animation of the normal function of the larynx:
Video of the normal function of the larynx:
What happens in laryngeal paralysis?
In laryngeal paralysis, the nerve supply to the muscles of the larynx is disrupted, meaning that the larynx cannot open and close like it normally would. This normally happens as a result of nerve degeneration with age, which is most common in older large-breed dogs such as Labrador Retrievers and Irish Setters. However, there are other potential causes, including injury or masses in the throat. Rarely, dogs may have laryngeal paralysis from birth, and this is more common in Bull Terriers, Dalmatians and Bouvier de Flanders.
When the muscles of the larynx do not work properly, this causes a range of signs. Usually signs are not obvious at rest, though your dog may have a soft cough or a change to their bark. The signs of laryngeal paralysis are usually most obvious when your dog is panting, for example when they are exercising or hot.
Dogs often struggle to exercise normally, as they cannot open their larynx fully to allow more airflow to the lungs. Breathing in is often noisy, as the paralysed vocal folds vibrate as air flows by. Dogs may even collapse on vigorous exercise or in hot conditions when they need to pant.
How will my vet diagnose laryngeal paralysis?
Your vet will be able to get a very good idea of whether your dog has laryngeal paralysis simply by examining them, because the noise on breathing in is very characteristic. If you have a video of your pet breathing noisily on exercise, this can aid diagnosis.
To confirm that your dog has laryngeal paralysis, your vet will need to examine their larynx and see that the vocal cords are not moving properly. This will involve them giving your dog a very brief anaesthetic. The following animation and video shows how the larynx does not move properly in laryngeal paralysis.
Animation showing the difference between a normal larynx (green square) and a paralysed larynx (red square):
Video endoscopy of a dog with laryngeal paralysis:
Your vet may also advise more tests to check for other conditions or complications of the disease. These investigations may include blood tests and chest X-rays.
Can my vet treat laryngeal paralysis?
It is not possible to restore the function of the muscles in the larynx, but there is a surgical procedure to tie the vocal folds back from the larynx so they do not restrict airflow. Whether or not to go for this surgery depends on how severe your dog's signs are and what their general health is like. As laryngeal paralysis is usually seen in older dogs who may have other conditions, it is important to weigh up the pros and cons and decide whether surgery is in their best interests. Your vet will help you decide what is best for your pet.
If surgery is judged to be appropriate, it can be very effective at improving your dog's symptoms. If you do not go for surgery, there are some other things you can do to help manage your pet's condition. Your vet may suggest avoiding vigorous exercise and making sure your dog does not get too hot, and it may also help to use a harness rather than a collar to reduce the pressure on the neck.
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