Just a question, my 5 year old dog Rocco was diagnosed with larynx paralysis on his left hand side a month ago. I had to take him to a vet that's charity run as I didn't have insurance for him. I'm extremely concerned as the vet has told me to enjoy the time I have left with him which has come as a complete shock. He said that this type of surgery is complicated and left it at that.I came home and read that surgery is effective so I don't know what to do. Rocco's symptoms are shortness of breath and a bit of snoring and it looks as though it hurts to swallow. Can anyone help and does anyone know how much tie back surgery costs in the UK?

Hi Rocco, I had a dog that had Laryngeal Paralysis operated on in 2007. It was a complete success. My boy was an Irish Setter and 11 years old at the time, he lived a normal life for another 3 years. The operation was a Laryngeal tieback and cost £1,150 at that time. Well worth the money because he was so well afterwards. He wasn't insured and I got a 0% interest credit card to pay for the op and paid it off before the 0% rate expired.

Aw thank you very much for replying to us. Sorry for the loss of your boy, it's awful to lose your pet isn't it. They are family. I've been so worried and have had 100"s of questions I wish I would have asked the vet yesterday. I'm going to take him to my local vet on Monday and get a second opinion as the charity one where I initially went told me surgery is too complicated. So thank you for replying as it's given me a bit of hope for my boy. It would break my heart to lose him. He is my life. It's just me and him.Ill let you know how we get on. ❤

Yes I suppose the surgery is complicated, my vet referred us to another who had experience of this operation. So obviously it not run of the mill. I have heard of quite a few other dogs that have had excellent results as well.  Good luck and yes I'd love to hear how things go.

Thank you for your kind words I appreciate them. Even just your reply has made me feel better to know that the surgery helped your boy and that there is potentially something to help my Rocco. I'm praying it's not really expensive . I'll let you know on Monday. Thanks for helping me to feel better about things

My pleasure.

I had a 12 year old bitch who had a tie back op and she also had some bronchitis too, due to old age. She lived for another 2 years and subsequently it was a chest infection that was the reason for losing her.

The op was fine, she did have to have antibiotics and anti inflamms for an extra couple of weeks due to quite abit of swelling in her throat. Once that was sorted, she wss fine.  You just need to watch their drinking and eating too quickly as this can cause aspiration pnuemonia. My bitch was a large breed and I put her food bowl on the bottom stair and she slowed it down herself so lowering the risk of anything going into her lungs.  We were lucky as my own vet did her op but you need to make sure you go to a Vet who is comfortable doing that particular surgery. 

Your dog is young to have that problem, but hopefully this op will help. If any of my other dogs were to have the same issue, I'd have no worries if it had to be done to any of them.