Two diagnoses-Mega Esophagus & Laryngeal Paralysis-can be well-managed

George is a great example of a dog who lives with two disorders that could on their own be a challenge to manage, but his family has done so with finesse, even in tandem. That’s been possible because his family recognized signs that there was something going on, got definitive diagnoses and worked with their veterinarian to craft appropriate treatment plans.
Laryngeal Paralysis is something that I see far more frequently in my work with senior and geriatric dogs, and it’s not uncommon for dogs with it to also experience hind limb weakness. Hypothyroidism is often linked, as well. Caregivers should understand that overheating is a worry with these dogs, as dogs need to pant to cool themselves and LP can make that difficult. Dogs with LP are also at risk for hypoxemia (low blood oxygen). Dogs with both diagnoses should always be walked on a leash with the use of a harness, never solely with a collar as that can put pressure on the neck and airway area.
As promised, links for resources about each disorder are below.
Mega Esophagus resources:
m. groups/upright...
www.vin.com/vetzinsight/defau...
speakingforspot.com/blog/2016/...
www.vetfolio.com/internal-medi...
www.baileychairs4dogs.com/can...
Zen collar: zenpetusa.com/products/recove...
Laryngeal Paralysis resources:
vcahospitals.com/know-your-pe...
www.acvim.org/Portals/0/PDF/An...
www.vetstreet.com/care/larynge...
www.veterinarypracticenews.co...
www.google.com/amp/s/healthyp...
Lorrie Shaw is a Certified Professional Pet Sitter, Certified Pet Loss and Grief Companion, and owner of Professional Pet Sitting, where she specializes in ancillary pet palliative and pet hospice care. She's also a member of Doggone Safe (where she completed the Speak Dog Certificate Program), as well as the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care, Pet Sitters International, Pet Professional Guild, International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (supporting member) and Ann Arbor Area Pet Sitters. Lorrie can be found at lorrieshaw.com. She tweets at @psa2.

[@GeorgiaPeach-ef7mp]

@SaulWest I dont want to go the tieback surgery route. So many risks . Called my vet this morning after reading half the night. Trials with doxepin at a Virginia veterinary clinic show 70% of labs are having great success on this med. I will post our progress. Let's hang in there.

[@deenibeeniable]

How is your pup doing? Better I hope. My golden is having mild symptoms of this. She is 14 & I don't want to do surgery. I might try the doxepin though.

[@eifionphillips3004]

Did the doxepin work?

[@ppsa2mi]

I’m just seeing all of your comments, I’m unsure why that’s happened but I feel terrible. My hope is that you’ve all had solid support from your vet teams and that your dogs have had the best advisement in supportive care and environmental management. LP, hind limb weakness and the thyroid issues that sometimes tag along can be challenging. Please know you’re doing everything your resources allow, and always, with love..❤

[@Izaakwalton_]

I was at the vet yesterday with my lab and it is uncanny how accurately you described my dog's behavior. They diagnosed him with the laryngeal paralysis. One thing you didn't mention which someone else brought up in your posts is that rear leg paralysis can be coupled with this which I believe, as that was my dog's first symptom. Thank you for your video.

[@ppsa2mi]

Mike, I’m sorry about what you’re experiencing with your lad. Yes, you are correct: hind limb weakness often accompanies LP, since the nerves responsible for the larynx are also linked to the hind limbs, polyneuropathy is common. It’s not unusual for hypothyroidism to be present as well. Environmental management, like elevating food dishes on a 30° incline, slow feeder bowls, running A/C in summer/during humid times and keeping anxiety under control helps tremendously. One of my families has found that feeding fresh/frozen diet to reduce risk of dry food scratching throat and choking/coughing and aspiration pneumonia helps, too! I Hope you’re feeling supported!

[@GonzoAmerican]

My senior lab has been living with LARPAR (GOLPP) for the better part of 4 years. In the past couple of weeks his breathing has taken a turn for the worse and he is regurgitating some of his food after he eats. Today we discovered he has aspiration pneumonia. They started him on antibiotics and prednisone. It’s down to quality of life for my boy at this point. If he continues to suffer, I will have him euthanatized. A very difficult decision, but one most people must make for their pet at some point. **edited to add that, in addition to symptoms above, my dog also has hind leg weakness. Another characteristic of this horrible disease.

[@Izaakwalton_]

I went to the vet yesterday with my Old Black Lab. Same diagnosis. They did not mention that leg paralysis can go with this but he absolutely is suffering from that as well. Thank you for your comment.

[@GonzoAmerican]

@@Izaakwalton_ Sorry to hear that Mike. Shortly after my comment here a year ago, I had to have Buddy euthanized. He couldn’t eat or drink without aspirating which only complicated his pneumonia. His oxygen levels were so low that his tongue was turning blue. It was time to end his suffering. He had a good long life of 13 years with me and as with all of my previous dogs & cats, I miss him very much.

[@Izaakwalton_]

Sorry to hear that Dan. My dog also regurgitates some of his food occasionally. No doubt he is on the same road as yours had been. I'm 55 years old and have owned a lot of dogs and cats over my life. Labs are great but I don't need to tell you. A mystery why people choose some of the breeds they do considering how clearly inferior some other breeds are. Thanks for your comment.

[@ppsa2mi]

@@GonzoAmerican I’m terribly sorry about the journey that you had to make through this with Buddy. I know you must miss him terribly.

[@octaviakf]

Awwwwww my baby just been diagnosed with the paralysis disease but they didn’t tell me about any treatment outside of surgery so can you update with the treatment please thanks 🙏🏾

[@devonbeaty6485]

I need to know more about George. My 11.5 year old Newfie has both of these as well.

[@rachelcontreraz6367]

Hi! Have you seen the dog treats made especially for Megaesophagus dogs? www.BronsonsMegaPuffs.com

[@dyiarite1228]

My 1 and a half-year-old pup just got diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis and megaesophagus, she's having a very tough time keeping down food. We took her to UGA over in Athens and they aren't wanting to do the tie-back method due to the increased risk of aspiration pneumonia. The vet never mentioned doxepin as an option, may I ask since posting this, did you have any success with the medication? Any info would be greatly appreciated, we are honestly grasping at straws right now. Thank you!

[@GeorgiaPeach-ef7mp]

Researching everything I can find on laryngeal paralysis. My vet agreed to try doxepin 25mg capsules 2× day for our 28 lb poodle/schnauzer. Dosage is 3-5 mg/kg every 12 hrs. Trial studies are hopeful. Praying and keeping my fingers crossed. She also takes trebutalin to open airways.

[@GeorgiaPeach-ef7mp]

An update: We've had her on doxepin,trebutalin & cosequin for 3 weeks now. She is improving . Breathing is easier and coughing less frequently. I'm hopeful

[@maxmm-bn8qm]

@@GeorgiaPeach-ef7mp how is she now? I'm telling my vet bout this med as my lab is at the stages of coughing and back legs getting weaker. Other meds nit suiting her.

[@GeorgiaPeach-ef7mp]

@@maxmm-bn8qm She's hanging in there. Lately we've had extremely warm temps and high humidity which has caused her some distress. Coughing a bit more Keeping her cool seems to be the key. It was last summer she got worse. .But all and all I truly believe these meds have helped .She's healthy and happy. I think the coughing spells bother me more than her. I certainly wish you the best of luck. It's a tough road to travel.

[@maxmm-bn8qm]

@@GeorgiaPeach-ef7mp thank you! ah bless her. It's so hard out of all the labs I've had in life this is the first experience of this. It Never gets easy. I wish her all the best in her journey also . They are precious and it's the toughest thing to let go. Were blessed to have them by our side for the time we get with them .😘

[@GeorgiaPeach-ef7mp]

@@maxmm-bn8qm I read it's more common in labs. Very sad. Praying you have success w/meds If you're in U.S. check GoodRx app for discounts on trebutalin(it's expensive) & doxepin.

[@Georgietj]

My 4-year-old weimaraner has been diagnosed with Laryngeal Paralysis!! So gutted as he's so young! Would you recommend going ahead with surgery?

[@kara5958]

I had no idea my 13 year old lab had lar par! This whole year we though he had arthritis in his hips and now we learned yesterday it’s nerve related? Getting every supplement I can find

[@cburgz3697]

I have a 12 year old pitbull that was in fantastic shape prior to getting ME. We are doing everything we can to treat this and mitigate issues. I'm confused why Google says the median life expectancy is 90 days after diagnosis?

[@Peter-it5ht]

My Rhodesion Ridgeback has the systems of Lar par, but he is now asleep and there not a sound out of him ,then he will have a moment then nothing, night times can be quiet, then noisy , he is 10 1/2 so maybe the drugs should be on the list first.

[@GeorgiaPeach-ef7mp]

Did u not get a reply? Our 12yr old poodle/schnauzer mix(a rescue)we've had since a puppy has laryngeal paralysis. It's so distressing. She's getting worse. Coughing so frequently she loses her breath and seems exhausted. My vet says surgery is 50/50 to alleviate the problem. I know at her age it could be dangerous. I've been reading about the "tieback" procedure. Have u had any luck?

[@saulwest8254]

Doxepin has been shown to help this condition, trials are ongoing.

[@GeorgiaPeach-ef7mp]

@@saulwest8254 Can my vet prescribe this?

[@saulwest8254]

@@GeorgiaPeach-ef7mp I was told by my vet in the UK that there are no medications to treat laryngeal paralysis in dogs, only option would be tie back surgery. This is not an option as my dog is 15 years old, so I googled and searched myself and came across articles online about doxepin (which is a mental health drug for humans) and its amazing/miraculous effects on dogs struggling with laryngeal paralysis. My dog has mild laryngeal paralysis so doxepin will be my last resort, speak to your vet about obtaining this drug and do some online searches yourself. Good luck to you and your dog. 👍💟🐕

[@GeorgiaPeach-ef7mp]

Thank you for your reply. Good luck to you!

[@saulwest8254]

@@GeorgiaPeach-ef7mp Has your dog exhibited any signs of neurological decline along with the laryngeal paralysis? My 15 year old collie has, I found this article below which was relatable to my dogs situation. Hopefully your dogs doxepin medication will help him/her breathe easier in its final stages of life. www.purinaproclub.com/resources/dog-articles/health/laryngeal-paralysis-is-first-sign-of-general-neurological-paralysis

[@MrNele99]

Good video. But larynx is pronounced "lar-inx", not "lar-nix".

[@deenibeeniable]

God I'm glad someone else said this. Like when people say "nuc-ye-ler." Makes me a little crazy.