Bailey (11 year old Irish setter) is currently under the vet for laryngeal paralysis. I think he's always had it, but it's getting worse as he's getting older. He has never had a big boys bark, it's more of a hoot, but it's the way he struggles for breath on only minimal/moderate exercise these days, that worries me most. :( He's absolutely fine about the house, nobody would know there was anything wrong until I take him out for exercise. He's used to good exercise and interesting walks, so I don't want to have to keep him restricted like this.

I'm a Registered Nurse, so I know the anatomy and physiology of the larynx and I can visualise the problem, I understand the various treatment options, we tried steroid anti inflamatories without success and we're now on a months trial of Corvental-D. It's only been a couple of days, so too soon to tell, but so far no improvement. He's restricted to lead walking, and the warm weather doesn't help, but I can see us heading for the Laryngeal Tie Back surgery. I hate the thought of anaesthetics at the best of times, but at his age I'm terrified, probably unjustfied I know, but he's the love of my life. Don't worry, my husband knows. :)

Does anyone have any experience of this type of operation, how are they afterwards, and how long till you can tell if it's been worth it.

Dawn R.

Hi Dawn

I have quite a bit of experience of tie back surgery having had 4 Afghans undergo this op.  I would say that if he is as bad as you say I would ask for a referrel as soon as possible. Does he have a retching couugh when lying around?  I had all mine done at Bristol.  Irish Setters I think are top of the table for this with Afghans a close second.  All mine were successful. The op is not without danger and the recovery period has to be monitored carefully for the first 6 weeks but after that mine went on to lead a normal life.  If left your dog could suffocate.  They will only operate if the cords have fully collapsed.  Mine ranged for 8years to 10 years old when operated on but one I bred was opereated on at the age of 12 and lived to 151/2 years.
Sometimes after the op you may still get the cough but this is quite normal.

Good luck and if you need any more help give me a shout and I will try to help

Sue

Thanks so much Sue for the information.

Yes Bailey does cough, but not all the time. He coughs when he's excited, like if he thinks he's going out for a walk, or he's getting fed. He also coughs occasionally when he's walking along, but the other thing he does is that roar, as if he's going to vomit. Certainly he's worse on warm, dry days, and he's better on cool damp days. I've tried taking water with me when I take him out, but he's not interested in drinking it.

I first noticed the symptoms about 18 months to 2 years ago. It seemed like he had hayfever or something because he was short of breath after galloping through a field of very long grass. As I said though, I think he's always had this. The symptoms have gradually worsened over that time, till he now can only go out on lead and even then he's rather breathless.

So, it sounds like my GP Vet will probably not do the surgery.

Well I'm still hoping the medication will control the symptoms, but I'll have to wait and see.

Thanks again.

Dawn R.

I had a Golden a couple of years ago with LP. (Sadly he is now at Rainbow Bridge.) He was about 13 when he was diagnosed. We went to Higham Gobian a local veterinary hospital in Bedfordshire. They were very positive about the tie back even with his age. He came through it well, even having to have a castration at the same time...poor lad at that age......for a growth. It made an improvement to his breathing as he had been really labouring when on a walk before that. He would really rasp as he breathed. I even recorded it at first to play to the vet so they knew what it sounded like when he was bad.....and I realised myself how bad it actually was listening to the recording.
I think I had put it down to his age that he had slowed down so much at this stage when it was probably the LP that had made him worse. If I had known about this condition earlier I would have done something sooner for him. Yes, there are risks particularly with feeding but you just have to minimise them. Initially I fed him by hand and then he had a raised bowl....he was a slow eater anyway so this helped. But knowing he could breathe easier made me feel better.

Just to update.

Bailey continued to deteriorate over the past couple of weeks and eventually had his Laryngeal Tieback operation yesterday. He stayed in the Vet Hospital overnight and came home this afternoon. Thankfully everthing went according to plan, and I can already hear a difference, he has quiet breathing again. We have a list of do's and don'ts as long as my arm, and he has to walk on a harness for a couple of weeks. He has a fine collection of shaven bald patches, but quite why his feathering has been cut off his front legs I do not know.

Anyway I'm relieved it's over and I have him back home safely. :)

I'm looking forward to the day I can take him out for a good run, like he's used to. Not for a few weeks yet though.

Dawn R.

Glad to hear he's better after his op. I hope everything continues to go well.

Received:

I have seen recent correspondence on your site regarding LP and its surgical treatment. I need to locate a veterinary practice which has experience in this area. Your member "Sue" recently wrote of a successful outcome. The two Vets' practices we have used are not  experienced in this treatment and seem loath to suggest alternatives. My dog is a 13yr Munsterlander

Perhaps a member knows of an experienced Vet. in the Oxford area?

Distressed

Peter

Tie back surgery is usually done by referral to a specialist.  All mine were done at Langford Bristol but I know they do it at Potters Bar (Queen Mothers Hospital?).

Sue

Yes my vet is extremely good and know he has experience of this.

<a class='url' href='http://www.caringinpractice.com/'>http://www.caringinpractice.com/</a>

I have been with Stuart now for nearly ten years and has been excellent with all my Labs and would without hesitation recommend him ;)

If you wish to contact me then PM me :)

Regards

Lucy

Hello Lucy,
Thanks for your information. Stuart has replied to my e-mail. Of course he has to suggest my present vet's advice should be followed. But indicates that he can do the op.
I'm still dithering.
He does stress that LP can suddenly deteriorate and become critical so I must decide pretty soon.
Peter.

Peter

What ever you decide I have had never but top quality of care from Stuart and Joe Inglis and they have always been very professional and also subjective making sure we have all the information to make an informed decision on any part of care for all of my Labs.

He is very open to my opinion and discusses very openly any of my thoughts on any subject relating to my girls.

Best of luck in what ever you decide and know you will do what ever you feel is best ;)

Take care

Lucy
xx

In the event I followed the recommendation of our vet and had Sacha referred to their group's "Referral hospital" 35 miles from Oxford.
My beautiful Munsterlander walked confidently into their premises on 11 Sep. I carried her body back home for burial on 14 Sep.
Their invoice is a litany of apparatus, drugs and procedures. I cannot imagine her terror at the procedures she underwent. No letter of explanation, sympathy or apology accompanies the invoice.
I am desolate.
Peter.

{{{{{Peter}}}}}}}}
Run free at the bridge Sacha
Lea.

Oh God..... Peter I'm so sorry this is the result. A chill had gone down my spine. This is a dog owners worst nightmare, I can only imagine your distress.

I'm trying to think just how I would feel in your shoes, and it's numbing, if this had happened to Bailey I would be distraught. No words can console at this time, but please know, I'm so, so sorry.

God Bless Sacha.

Dawn R.

I am so sorry that this has happened.

Oh Peter I am so sorry to hear this :(

Lucy
xx

Peter, I would like to encourage you to continue looking for a vet that will do the Laryngeal Tieback operation.

Bailey had his op a week ago today, and is so much better already. He hasn't been off lead yet, I had to buy him a harness, but his breathing is very quiet and normal sounding. Instead of that awful rasping I become used to hearing. I was lucky that the referral vet was only 5 miles from me, but isn't a big training hospital or anything, just a very well equipped surgery with a number of speciality vets in practise.

I have to say though, that my own vet didn't hesitate to refer us to the other practise. The cost, if you're interested, was £1169.59.

I hope you soon find a vet to help you, the difference it makes is amazing. Good luck, and big hugs to your Munster.

Dawn R.

Dawn
Havent logged on for ages.....anyway I am really pleased that the op. has made a difference. I hope Bailey has continued to make progress.

Good Luck and enjoy!