To Sue Lloyd, it has been suggested to me to ask you about Laryngeal Paralysis. I have a 7y.o. Standard Poodle who has developed a disturbing cough (see 'coughing dog' elsewhere) Dawn has told me you have had three dogs with the problem. Can you please elaborate. I would be very grateful. Thanks, Robyn

Laryngeal paralysis is when the vocal cords collapse and block the airway. My three dogs first symptoms were a cough as though trying to clear their throat. This usually happened when lying down, they would suddenly cough and retch as though they would be sick but brought nothing up. Another sign is breathless when being exercised and they also change their lifestyle to being more idle. The bark will also change to a higher pitch. Tie-back surgery can be performed by a specialist but only when laryngeal paralysis is fully blown. They have found if they do surgery too early it is not so successful. After surgery they will have lost their bark but maybe able to "huff" as I call it. My last dog to have this surgery had it done when she was 8 years and died this year at the age of 12 from something not related. Life after surgery is good, back to being able to be exercised normally although some, as my one did, still have a cough but nothing can be done for this. If surgery is not done the dog may eventually die from suffercation. If your dog has been coughing for about a year I would ask your vet to refer you to a specialist just in case he has this condidition. It is hereditary and the litter sister to my las t dog underwent surgery for this two weeks ago and is now running about madly again like her old self. Good luck and keep us informed of any outcome.
Sue

I have only experienced this in elderly dogs so its very interesting to read this

Sue, thank you so much for your info. Yes, it sounds suspicially like it could be that, from the way he coughs. He does exercise happily enough, and doesn't seem to suffer from breathlessness. I will follow this up. I poked around on the Net, and read up quite a bit about it. Does the 'tie-back' actually cause some inhalation of food and water, as I read? That sounds a bit of a worry. His condition, whatever it is, hasn't worsened in the last year. Sometimes bad, sometimes non-existent. If it stays like this, I wouldn't worry too much.

Hi Robyn
No after surgery I never had a problem with their eating and drinking. It was about two years from the first signs to when mine had surgery. Mine would sometimes just have a little cough for a few days and then have bouts of retching coughing, Keep your eye on him. Hopefully it isn't this.

Sue

I will have him looked at. It sounds like it can hopefully be dealt with. He was given to me as an ex-champ show dog because he had 'sebacious adenitis' on both sides of his pedigree. He hasn't got that, thank goodness. If the cough is this paralysis and it is hereditary, that would be a bother to the breeder. Sue, I am so grateful to you and other's comments. All the best with your dogs. It sounds like you have had a torrid time. So disappointing.

By way of further reassurance my previous lab developed this from 9yrs old and lived to the grand age of 16 and managed without an operation. The vet informed us the success rate of the operation was low and because he couldn't exercise that much because of his arthritis she didn't recommend surgery. He suffered from what we used to call heavy breathing with occasional coughs. Something to watch out for is air quality as his breathing used to deteriorate especially on really hot humid days and the vet used to give some mediation, which did help by reducing his stress/anxiety thereby improving his breathing. Good luck at the vets