{"id":2306,"date":"2022-10-04T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-04T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drphilzeltzman.com\/blog\/?p=2306"},"modified":"2022-10-07T17:47:44","modified_gmt":"2022-10-07T21:47:44","slug":"eve-from-suffocating-to-awesome-through-laryngeal-paralysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drphilzeltzman.com\/blog\/eve-from-suffocating-to-awesome-through-laryngeal-paralysis\/","title":{"rendered":"Eve, from suffocating to awesome through laryngeal paralysis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Eve\u2019s story is a bit unusual because her owner is the one who figured out her diagnosis!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Google led her to one of my blogs about laryngeal paralysis (or \u201clar par\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her recently adopted dog Eve, a 10 year old Lab, \u201cdefinitely checked all the boxes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eve\u2019s owner remembers: \u201cShe has always had the “old lady bark.” As the warmer weather approached, she was panting a lot more. Her activity tolerance plummeted. She’d walk 2-5 miles when we first adopted her. But now she couldn’t even do 0.5 mile in the warmer temperatures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her condition was really serious. \u201cShe was struggling when breathing, even just to go outside to potty. It was so hot and humid. Any little physical activity had her panting. Right before surgery, she came in stridorous and truly struggling. Her tongue was purplish. It really scared me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After doing her research, she \u201cknew that it was a degenerative condition, and Eve would eventually suffocate to death.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She continues: \u201cI felt bad for her – a senior dog – going through surgery, but I was hopeful that she would feel better after recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laryngeal paralysis (or \u201clar par\u201d) is a serious and stressful condition where the larynx (or voice box) doesn\u2019t allow enough oxygen to flow into the lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It mostly occurs in older and senior dogs, most commonly Labs over 10 years of age. It can also happen in young dogs, and other breeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We scheduled Eve for an exam under light sedation, followed by surgery if the diagnosis were confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sure enough, the exam confirmed lar par.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal of surgery (a \u201ctie back\u201d procedure) is to open up the larynx with two permanent nylon sutures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anesthesia and surgery were uneventful.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When Eve woke up from anesthesia, her breathing was slow and quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She went home on the same day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a step-by-step summary of her progress, as told by her owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you read those, please remember that every patient is different, and the improvement in breathing may vary from patient to patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n