smday Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 (edited) So, it looks like Best has developed laryngeal paralysis. He is 12 but I am going to consult with a surgeon about having tie-back surgery done. I've done a lot of reading about it here on GT which is one reason I am considering surgery on a 12 year old. Apparently the biggest problem following surgery is aspiration pneumonia. What is the best way to prevent this? I feed dry food soaked in water. He prefers to eat lying down so I don't use a raised feeder. thanks in advance for any advice. Edited April 17, 2010 by smday Quote Lexi the pointeresque mutt (1999), Homer the chi mix (2010) and Lacey the ? (2009). Always remembering Dita, Best, Oba, Bubba, and the others at the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 Onyx was 11 1/2 when she had her tie back done. The doctor should give you all the information, but here's what I was told. All dry kibble SOAKED. No more crunchy treats like Milkbones. (I give her people cookies, PB sandwich or Golden Oreos and get them very wet.) When having any other surgery, the intubation tube needs to stay in until the last possible minute. She takes a 20 MG Pepcid daily. If she does vomit, I take her in to the vets to have her lungs listened to and to go on preventive antibiotics. I don't let her overheat in the summer. Even with the tie back, breathing is more compromised. But, just as an FYI, LP even without the tieback has a much higher risk of aspirate pneumonia. Onyx is now 14.5 and still going strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BoandLazMom Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 We adopted Happy at 12. Shortly after we adopted her we knew she had LP. We elected the surgery. She is now 13 and doing well. We were told she could eat soaked dry kibble but it bothers her. It makes her harshly clear her throat after eating. We are feeding an all a wet diet. She gets yogurt, cottage cheese, hard boiled egg or peanut butter something soft for a treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TBSFlame Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 I did not do the tie-back for Tessie b/c she hated the vet so much and would shake and get so upset. I now wish I had elected to do the surgery. Her death was horrible to watch and her eyes still haunt me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smday Posted April 10, 2010 Author Share Posted April 10, 2010 I did not do the tie-back for Tessie b/c she hated the vet so much and would shake and get so upset. I now wish I had elected to do the surgery. Her death was horrible to watch and her eyes still haunt me. I am so sorry you and Tessie had to go through this - it is exactly what I'm trying to avoid with Best. Quote Lexi the pointeresque mutt (1999), Homer the chi mix (2010) and Lacey the ? (2009). Always remembering Dita, Best, Oba, Bubba, and the others at the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 Trevor was 12 and his was so brittle they could not do the tie back. I wish I would have kept liquid valium on hand.... Is he bad? Has he been scoped yet? Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smday Posted April 11, 2010 Author Share Posted April 11, 2010 Hi Diane, He isn't terribly bad. He was scoped on Friday. I will set up a surgical consult next week. The weather has been very hot but is now seasonable so I think he is OK for the time being. If he has another somewhat bad day, I will ask for liquid valium. Quote Lexi the pointeresque mutt (1999), Homer the chi mix (2010) and Lacey the ? (2009). Always remembering Dita, Best, Oba, Bubba, and the others at the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgrey Posted April 11, 2010 Share Posted April 11, 2010 Sending good thoughts for Best. My sweet Keno had LP, but due to multiple health issues wasn't a good candidate for the surgery. Quote Cynthia, & Cristiano, galgoAlways in my heart: Frostman Newdawn Frost, Keno Jet Action & Chloe (NGA racing name unknown), Irys (galgo), Hannah (weim), Cruz (galgo), & Carly CW Your Charming Princess http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=1018857 "It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Unknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sirocco_Nikki Posted April 11, 2010 Share Posted April 11, 2010 My brittany had surgery for laryngeal paralysis when she was 12. The surgery was done by a board certified specialist who was supposedly the best in the state. The result was absolutely horrible. She was very spry and otherwise healthy before the surgery. She developed extreme complications after it. She was at the emergency clinic the night we brought her home for infection, possible renal failure, and breathing difficulties. She spent a total of about 2 weeks in the hospital before she was stable enough to be home. Scar tissue developed at the surgical site and she would turn blue and wheeze any time she was stressed. I still feel sick and cold inside whenever I think of those many episodes. Agreeing to the surgery is without a doubt my biggest regret in life. I am not saying you should not have the surgery done. However, please be aware that the surgery is not always successful and can cause extreme problems. Quote Drake - Fortified Power x Cajun Oriel Janney - Ronco x Sol Happy Waiting at the bridge: Sirocco - (Reko Sirocco) - Trojan Episode x Reko Princess; Nikki - (MPS Sharai) - Devilish Episode x MPS Daisy Queen;Yukon - (Yak Back) - Epic Prince x Barts Cinnamon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smday Posted April 17, 2010 Author Share Posted April 17, 2010 Thank you all for your replys. Best has had his surgical consult and we are taking a watch and wait strategy. His breathing has eased up as the pollen has decreased slightly so the surgeon feels part of what was going on was allergic in nature. She told me that about 1/3 of the dogs that have the surgery develop aspiration pneumonia. She said it could range in severity from silent to fatal. She wasn't in a hurry to operate so I'm not either. She did give me some sedative to give him if his breathiing got worse. She wants to see him again if his breathing gets bad enough to interfere with his normal life. I hope it never gets that bad. Quote Lexi the pointeresque mutt (1999), Homer the chi mix (2010) and Lacey the ? (2009). Always remembering Dita, Best, Oba, Bubba, and the others at the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgrey Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 Glad to hear he's doing better with the lower pollen count. Two of mine have been coughing from the heavy pollen here. I too hope it doesn't progress and he won't need the surgery. Quote Cynthia, & Cristiano, galgoAlways in my heart: Frostman Newdawn Frost, Keno Jet Action & Chloe (NGA racing name unknown), Irys (galgo), Hannah (weim), Cruz (galgo), & Carly CW Your Charming Princess http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=1018857 "It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Unknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kydie Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 Glad things are looking better, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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