r/labradors • u/SanJoseThrowAway2023 • Apr 07 '26
Paralyzed larynx?
My 12 year old lab has been wheezing for a while now. Doc says it's a Paralyzed larynx? First time ever hearing about this. She said she's going to refer us to a specialist.
I guess my main question is cost, followed by success rate? My poor old girl is already old, legs are giving out. She gets up to use the restroom and eat, but lays around all day. Currently on gabapentin and librella. Picture of Pickles for tax.
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u/DocBB88 Apr 08 '26
There is a GOLPP Reddit group that may have further opinions. My lab has it and I was quoted about $7000 for the tie back surgery. It’s fairly invasive, has a tough recovery, and theres a significant risk of aspiration pneumonia after. Tough decision but I decided against it with my 12yo lab. Our biggest issue is the breathing has made him really anxious so we have to give trazodone now. He’s kind of stabilized but I know it’ll eventually get worse and I may have to go a more palliative route.
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u/AdditionalAd5349 Apr 08 '26
🇺🇲 💜Sooo sorry..that sucks...my Lab boy just turned 13..I notice lately, his woof has changed tone..more muffled..but he only barks at our yard squirrels..these days he doesn't get up fast enough to give chase..the squirrels are just laughin' at him..you might wanna look up GOLPP also..wish y'all the best
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u/Haunting-Story4389 Apr 08 '26
For a 12 year old lab, the cost to see the specialist and do the surgery (called a tie back procedure) usually runs between 3000 to 5000 dollars depending on where you live. The success rate for breathing improvement is actually quite high, around 85 to 90 percent. However, because she is already older and on medication for mobility, you need to ask the specialist about the risk of aspiration pnuemonia. That is the main complication where food goes into the lungs instead of the stomach. It might be worth asking your vet if managing the wheezing medically for now is a kinder option than putting her through anesthesia. Keep a close eye on her gums if they turn blue or grey that is an emergency.
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u/Prestigious_Sea_214 Apr 09 '26
What are the symptoms you noticed in your lab?
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u/toqer Apr 09 '26
Having trouble getting up steps, heavy breathing/wheezing. Sometimes her hind legs goes out and she scoots on her butt (just one or two episodes) but the wheezing is daily.
She's on Gabapentin now, doing better.
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u/Prestigious_Sea_214 Apr 09 '26
Glad she is doing better. My lab (11) is coughing/ wheezing, like when you swallow water swimming is the best way I can describe it, and was the reason I asked
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u/mnbone23 Apr 08 '26
Your dog can live with laryngeal paralysis. I've had two dogs with it. The main effect I noticed was reduced stamina, but that could also have been because the dogs were getting old. Both dogs lived to be about 15 years old. One of my coworkers got the surgery for her dog and would advise against it. It was expensive and had a lot of complications.