Help - Will Unilateral Laryngeal Paralysis turn bilateral

[airforcex2]

All,

Help - Will Unilateral Laryngeal Paralysis turn bilateral. Is it inevitable? Euthanasia scheduled for 1030 Sat morning.

This is my very first post.I found this forum after extensive research on Laryngeal Paralysis.  I am hoping someone can provide some insight on this topic very soon.  

We have a 13 year old Lab mix named Azazel. (she got the name when she shredded an entire couch at 5 months old. Literally.  Only the frame was there when we got home.)  She is an old dog with arthritis but other wise healthy.  I took her in for her wellness exam Wednesday in order to obtain the required certificates to travel from South Georgia through Canada during our move to Alaska next week.  I expressed my concern over her heavy breathing, which I suspected was excess fluid in her lungs.  She was diagnosed with Unilateral Laryngeal Paralysis.  I witnessed the paralysis on her left flap while she was under mild sedation.  The Veterinarian said Zae will not make it passing through the numerous high altitudes that we will be going though. Being at low altitudes her entire life would make it acclimation to the extreme altitudes and weather very difficult, if not impossible, considering her age and current condition.  We discussed our options and decided that euthanization is probably in Zae's best interest.  Surgery is not an option given her age, cost, and probably of developing pneumonia at a later time.  She has been with us her entire life and we are very reluctant to leave her with unfamiliar people, to her, at this age.

Throughout the 30 or so different articles and sites I have read through, none of them said that a Unilateral laryngeal paralysis will develop into a bilateral condition. Standard surgery techniques tie back one flap in order to ease respiratory distress. My thought is that Zae has a good chance at living quite a while with a decent quality of life if she were with someone familiar to her. i.e. my in-laws. My Mother in-law has an extreme love for all animals. She would provide better care for my dog than any person or agency I know of. However, I am not willing to put her through the grieving process if she would have to have Zae euthanized if she developed a bilateral condition.  I am aware that what I'm asking should be a question for Vetanarians, but sometimes great knowledge can come from those that have experience on the subject.  I welcome all opnions.  

Thank you for any input you can provide

Marcus

[lindapalm]

I don't know the answer to your question, I can only say that we have a cat that has Laryngeal Paralysis on one side, and she has done fine in the five years after her diagnosis, but possibly its different for a dog because our cat isn't very active, and never has been.  She is twelve now.

[tonyb286]

Hi Marcus. From my limited understanding of this condition, I think you may be asking an impossible question. Much depends on the individual dog and the underlying cause of the  Laryngeal Paralysis (in this case probably age, but could also be an underlying heart condition or a genetic trigger). If the condition is age related, then surgery would almost certainly give a few good healthy years - as long as it is performed by someone very experienced in this specialized field.

The problem is, if there is an underlying cause that continues to put stress on the lungs, it would probably lead to further issues at some stage down the line. That's why I believe you are asking something no one here can truly answer, at least not definitively.

What is much more certain is your dog would almost certainly not be able to take the trip you are planning. It would put her body under an enormous amount of stress and there is a good chance of an emergency occurring during it. In addition, the high altitude would lead to further breathing problems - and I'm sure you know what the likely outcome of that would be. So, I think you are absolutely right to consider the alternatives.

No one here can say what you should do. You know your situation and your dog better than anyone. I'm assuming your trip to Alaska cannot be postponed, to give you more time with your best friend? The second option of letting your mother-in-law care for her is the one I would probably go for, if it were me, perhaps with some added security for her - such as ... if this happens, do this, if that happens, do that ... and I'll take care of the vet bills regardless.

I'm hoping someone more informed might come and help you decide ... but even someone in exactly the same situation and with a dog with the same condition may not have the answer, because every dog is different and so much depends on the nature of the  Laryngeal Paralysis.

My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Tony