Guest KennelMom Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 I'm just devastated Grandpa (aka Champ) has had this raspy breathing going off and on for a couple weeks so he went to the vet yesterday and came home w/the tentative diagnosis of LP. I am aware that they have to be put under for a definitive diagnosis and that would be the next step. The xray of his chest/lungs, esophagus looked really good. But, he pretty much has 100% of the symptoms and it explains why his bark has changed recently So, I've spent hours scouring the web...I just joined the LP yahoo group, which is definitely pro-surgery. I'm completely confused. Our vet's dog has LP and he did talk to me a bit about the surgery and said the survival rate is generally not good. Which is the opposite impression I'm getting from the yahoo group. He has not had the surgery for his own dog. So....other than wanting to scream and cry all at the same time...I just feel lost. I was completely unprepared for this news. And now I'm terrified of what *could* happen while we're trying to figure all this out. Gramps is 13 1/2 and we're waiting for his blood panel to come back to see how he's doing on that front and then we can start a discussion on whether he's a candidate for surgery, etc...He also has a rear end lameness of unknown origin, though the xrays of his hip & leg looked good and just a little sensitivity in the LS area. He has a history of complications from Ehrlichia to consider as well. After talking to the vet yesterday and our own research/discussions we are leaning away from surgery at this point. A lot will depend on his blood work and any additional information I can find. For anyone on the board whose dogs have had the surgery, can you tell me how traumatic it was and what the recovery time was for your dog? Is there any place that has reliable, rather than anecedotal, stats as to survival rates of the surgery? There is virtually no information that I could find on the web about LP as it relates to greyhounds. Celebrating Greyhounds did an article on it in Summer 2000, but my subscription doesn't go back that far. Does anyone know if they offer back issues/reprints? I checked out OSU's site, but didn't see anything there about LP. :cry1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoomDoggy Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 I experienced this with my Chancy. I'll write more in detail later today, I promise. Don't lose hope. Quote ~Aimee, with Flower, Alan, Queenie, & Spodee Odee! And forever in my heart: Tipper, Sissy, Chancy, Marla, Dazzle, Alimony, and Boo. This list is too damned long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Just sending prayers to you and Champ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 I know nothing about LP, just a note to say hang in there. I know there will be people on this list who can provide you with some resources to help you make the right decision, and we'll all be pulling for Champ whichever route you choose. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoomDoggy Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 The back-end weakness could very well be related to the LP. From what I've read, it's quite common to see both occurring at the same time. They are both problems of the nerves and muscles not responding correctly. My Chancy had both as well. I did choose to do the tieback surgery after many months of the same agonizing you're doing right now. In our case, the unilateral tieback surgery was a success, but sadly Chancy had other physical problems going on with her spleen and liver that stole her from us only a few weeks later. My only regret about the tieback was that I should have done it sooner. My vet was very reluctant too, and talked me into waiting longer than I should have. We never figured out the causes of her liver and spleen issues, but at least she didn't suffocate. I'm not trying to scare you. Just wanted you to know that if it were not for Chancy's other health problems, she would be breathing wonderfully and freely to this day. Audrey here on GT also has a senior (Darius) who had the same surgery as a senior. Fortunately, he had no other major health problems, so they have longer-term success than I did. One important factor related to post-surgery complications, is whether your boy is commonly a barfer. Meaning, is he prone to vomiting often? Chancy was never a barfer, so I considered her risk of aspirate pneumonia to be low. Quote ~Aimee, with Flower, Alan, Queenie, & Spodee Odee! And forever in my heart: Tipper, Sissy, Chancy, Marla, Dazzle, Alimony, and Boo. This list is too damned long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest whatahound Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Prayers and positive thoughts for you and Champ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Thanks for the support everyone. We just got off the phone with our vet and he's mixing up some valium suppositories for us to keep on hand and we'll get a prescription for oral valium b/c the only time Grandpa completely freaks out or stresses is during a thunder storm. We talked with the doc for a long time, since I had a lot more questions to ask him, and I'm feeling a little less distressed about it. Grandpa's bloodwork is OK, thyroid was low (.7) so the blood will now be sent to Michigan State for more testing for hypo-thyroid. For the time being we are going to do lifestyle changes. I'm still investigating the surgery and I do want to hear experiences/thoughts on it. I have a few other trusted sources in the vet field that I have calls or emails out to to get their thoughts/opinions. Right now my old guy is snoozing in the living room. He seems to be oblivious that anything is wrong and he's normally a fairly laid-back, stress free dog. He started barking last night and I just about burst into tears. Since his bark has changed I haven't given it very much thought...I just thought he was getting an "old dog" bark and one time I even teased him about it. I had no idea it was a symptom of something so life threatening. I love that damn dog so much...I just can't bear the thought of anything happening to him. Anyone who's met Grandpa knows how special he is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bowiebears Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Prayers and best wishes and good thoughts for you and your 'old guy'. --Isaac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Nana turned 12 several weeks ago. She was running and swimming in the ocean and having a good old time at Dewey this past weekend. Her tieback surgery was last Jan. During surgery there is a higher risk of aspirate pneumonia. For the rest of their lives WITH or WITHOUT the surgery, there is a higher risk of aspirate pneumonia. My suggestion to you...........see a surgeon, not a general vet. Nana came through surgery wonderfully. As soon as she was awake and up, she was raring to go. The incision is on the side of the neck, they do not go down the throat to do it. They tie back only the left side. Her food needs to be softened (dry kibble soaked in water before eating), no milkbones. Nothing hard and crunchy that would have crumbs. And just be alert to any changes in coughing. (yeah, they cough a little more to clear their throats but that's all). Her back end is starting to weaken a little, but she has no other health issues. I'm glad I didn't hesitate. But please see a surgeon who has done this operation many times. If you're near NJ, I'll recommend my surgeon to you. MP and the 4 pack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoomDoggy Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 I want to add, after reading the above, that my vet did not perform the surgery. A surgical specialist did, with my vet supervising the anesthesia. Quote ~Aimee, with Flower, Alan, Queenie, & Spodee Odee! And forever in my heart: Tipper, Sissy, Chancy, Marla, Dazzle, Alimony, and Boo. This list is too damned long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicocat Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 I have a friend who chose not to do the surgery on her boy who is 12 1/2. She softens his food for several hours and it has made a great deal of difference in his ability to eat comfortably. She avoids stressful situations for him and strictly limits his time in the heat and humidity. Quote Ann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tenderhearts Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Hopefully Madeara will see that as her Darius had the surgery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeara Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 As long as you have a certified specialist and physical health is good I would do the surgery. Of course with ANY surgery there is a chance for complications. Use the Yahoo list to find a surgeon near you. Darius had this at 13. He is now 14 and 7 months. I do not regret the operation AT ALL, but I was sure scared. My surgeon has done many of these and each is custom per dog. There are many more that are a success than not. I am so swamped here since I just got back from Dewey. please PM me if you would like to talk about it., I will give you my phone # Audrey Quote "To err is human, to forgive, canine" Audrey, Nova, Cosmo and Holden in NY - Darius and Asia you are both irreplaceable and will be forever in my heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 no experience with this, just for Grandpa and for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greyhoundis Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 I have a friend who chose not to do the surgery on her boy who is 12 1/2. She softens his food for several hours and it has made a great deal of difference in his ability to eat comfortably. She avoids stressful situations for him and strictly limits his time in the heat and humidity. Hi Auntie Ann - Jiffy Mart just had his 13th birthday in September!!! He was diagnosed with LP over a year ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrAlexTheDog Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 nikki had lp surgery last december when she was 11. we had a blood panel done, plus a cardiac ultrasound because she's on atenolol for irregular heart beats. since we got good results from both exams we proceeded with the surgery. the surgeon used a laser since it's less painful and causes less swelling. we dropped her off in the morning and picked her up late in the afternoon. she sounded so much better having had the surgery: no more raspy exhaling. she uses a food stand and we wet her food down. Quote Steve, owner/photographer Crackerdog Photography, writer of ShutterHounds. Follow me on Instagram.Alex (Sanja Black Eyes [1989-2003] - Sanja Superfrank x TH's Fandango), Nikki (Ein's Ardonis [1995-2008] - Farmer Wilson x Legs Polly),Sadie (Carla Tar [2002-2014] - Coldwater Guv x Canatar), Katie (Leading Home [2003-2013] - Iruska Excalibur x Impress Me Much),Bean ([2013-] - DJays Octane x O Ya Cranberry), and Billy Bob (O Ya Billy Bob [2011-2020] Dodgem By Design x O Ya Cranberry) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 so, is this something that just sometimes happens with older dogs? I'm curious if any young dogs have ever had it... for Grandpa Quote Michelle...forever missing her girls, Holly 5/22/99-9/13/10 and Bailey 8/1/93-7/11/05 Religion is the smile on a dog...Edie Brickell Wag more, bark less :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrAlexTheDog Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 one consequence of nik having lp surgery: chances were that she wasn't going to be able to make any of the sounds we were accustomed to hearing from her, so i videotaped her whining, speaking, barking, etc., before we had the surgery done. we haven't videotaped our girls much, so it's the only recording we have of her "speaking". it's a good thing we did it because anything coming out of her now is just a whisper. Quote Steve, owner/photographer Crackerdog Photography, writer of ShutterHounds. Follow me on Instagram.Alex (Sanja Black Eyes [1989-2003] - Sanja Superfrank x TH's Fandango), Nikki (Ein's Ardonis [1995-2008] - Farmer Wilson x Legs Polly),Sadie (Carla Tar [2002-2014] - Coldwater Guv x Canatar), Katie (Leading Home [2003-2013] - Iruska Excalibur x Impress Me Much),Bean ([2013-] - DJays Octane x O Ya Cranberry), and Billy Bob (O Ya Billy Bob [2011-2020] Dodgem By Design x O Ya Cranberry) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 so, is this something that just sometimes happens with older dogs? I'm curious if any young dogs have ever had it... from what I've read, when it appears in younger dogs, it's usually a congenital defect. I think it primarily affects older dogs and some breeds are more prone to it than others I am interested in learning more about the laser surgery... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Naty Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 My Troy had unilateral tieback last February at 11.5 by a board-certified surgeon. Laser was not even discussed with me as an option. He did fine. We opted for the surgery because the progress of his LP was rather quick. He was having trouble breathing in winter after the initial symptoms two months earlier. We decided to do something before the temps started getting up. His recovery was quick. He stayed for 2 nights at Tufts and was weak when he got home. But within a day he was ravenous. We monitored his physical exertions for the next 2 weeks but he seemed close to normal within a week. Sadly he succumbed to osteo last August. I would do it again even had I known that he was living on borrowed time. We were able to provide him a chance to be comfortable. If you haven't yet, please switch from collar to harness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greyhound1 Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 My Troy had unilateral tieback last February at 11.5 by a board-certified surgeon. Laser was not even discussed with me as an option. He did fine. We opted for the surgery because the progress of his LP was rather quick. He was having trouble breathing in winter after the initial symptoms two months earlier. We decided to do something before the temps started getting up. His recovery was quick. He stayed for 2 nights at Tufts and was weak when he got home. But within a day he was ravenous. We monitored his physical exertions for the next 2 weeks but he seemed close to normal within a week. Sadly he succumbed to osteo last August. I would do it again even had I known that he was living on borrowed time. We were able to provide him a chance to be comfortable. If you haven't yet, please switch from collar to harness. Thank you for sharing your story. I'm sorry to hear about Troy The first thing I did when I got home was pull out our harness b/c the vet did mention that to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devotion Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Wow, I can only imagine how scary this is. I know you will make the right decision for you and your sweet boy. Can you please tell me what his symptoms are? My almost 12 year old has gotten a very "hoarse raspy" bark at times lately. I live in Houston and was wondering if it was because of the humidity or air quality? Prayers for you both. Quote Pam with greys Avril, Dalton & Zeus & Diddy the dachshund & Miss Buzz the kitty Devotion, Jingle Bells, Rocky, Hans, Harbor, Lennon, NoLa, Scooter, Naomi and Scout at the bridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lotsogreysmom Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 I am curious if there are other symptoms to this other than just a hoarse bark? My dd's 1 yr old bull terrier has recently "lost his voice" and it's not coming back. It did for a few days and then went away again. We are thinking it's because he barks uncontrollably in his crate. He is eating fine....no choking or anything. He has no other symptoms at all.....acts completely normal otherwise. Thanks for any help you can offer and sorry to hear about Champ!! You guys are in our thoughts and prayers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CyndiW Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 (edited) I would be curious also to hear more about symptoms, especially the back end weakness because I can't find anything about that when looking up LP. My 11 year old Stevie developed a very raspy pant about 1-2 months ago and has also developed quite a bit of back end weakness around the same time (hip hangs low at times and almost gives out). I contributed the raspy pant to the hot weather and allergies and the back end weakness to old age arthritis. Hope you get some answers and help with Champ soon. Lots of prayers coming his way!! Edited October 10, 2007 by CyndiW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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