Possible Lp In 13 Year Old

[maximum]

Max has been experiencing excessive panting and raspy breathing for a while; I noticed it last summer, but it seemed to get better over the winter. But it has started up again this spring; as soon as it got over about 5 degrees celcius, he seemed to become bothered again. So, to the vet. It might be allergies or "old dog lung" (scar tissue, apparently) or larangyal paralysis. He is now taking antihistamines (reactine); we`ve been trying that for a few days, haven`t really noticed a difference. So we might try a bronchial puffer - did you know they made aerosol chambers for dogs? I did not; they are about $75 from manuafacturer. Anyone know of a cheaper source? I want to give the puffers a try, but seems like a lot if the drug does not work. Any place to get these sorts of things used?

 

The vet is kinda leaning towards LP but wants to rule out other possibilities before considering surgery. At Max`s age (13), surgery is not an easy decision; his breathing is not bad- I keep him in air conditioning, we don`t exercise or go out during the day. As I said, we are trying an antihistamine, and will add an oral bronchialator (apo-theo-LA). And then if that doesn`t work, aerosol bronchial meds. And then, if that doesn`t work -a referral to the ontario vet college for consult, and possible LP surgery. Vet also mentioned an x-ray to check lungs for scar tissue but they sound perfectly clear; don't know if I am convinced of the need. Max is otherwise a very healthy 13 year old. Has anyone had this done on a 13 year old?

 

Any feedback or stories appreciated. I have seen lots of good reports on the surgery - anyone wish they hadnèt done it or had a bad experience? Aside from age, what are the reasons not to do it?

 

Thanks in advance!

Edited June 4, 2011 by maximum

[Batmom]

No advice, just lots of hugs for our sweet boy.

[GreyPoopon]

No advice, just a little story: Betsy (now 12 1/2) tends to huff and puff and sometimes sounds like a freight train--I was sure she was developing LP. She also has had seasonal allergies for the past few summers: she licks her feet until the skin is red and the hair is very thin. The first year, Benadryl helped with the itchies. The second year, Benadryl didn't work but Reactine did. The third year--last summer--neither antihistamine worked, so the vet prescribed a course of Vanectyl-P (a steroid/antihistamine combo). Not only did she stop licking her feet, but she was a whole lot less lame (she has athritis and can no longer take NSAIDS). So we continued the Vanectyl-P. After a while, I noticed that she was breathing better. She still has the occasional bout of raspiness, but it's not as bad as it was.

 

Hugs to handsome Max.

[3greytjoys]

In our rare case, LP surgery isn't an option (combined with cancer and excessive bleeder). I just heard from another friend today whose dog (different large breed) just celebrated his one year anniversary of successful tie-back surgery. There are many others who have had success, but I understand you may wish to bypass that surgery. I am aware of "oxygen chambers" at E-Veterinary hospitals, and other tools and tips to try at home (mostly from an LP group forum noted in the following link).

 

Here is a reply I wrote to another GT member recently. Hopefully, this link will help offer you more information. The LP group forum has every answer you can imagine: http://forum.greytal..._1?do=findComment&comment=4916439

 

Here is my original GT link about this topic:

http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php/topic/260111-laryngeal-paralysis-and-hemangiosarcoma/page__p__4662678__fromsearch__1?do=findComment&comment=4662678

 

Feel free to PM me if you'd like. I do have more information I can share with you.

Edited June 4, 2011 by 3greytjoys

[maximum]

No advice, just a little story: Betsy (now 12 1/2) tends to huff and puff and sometimes sounds like a freight train--I was sure she was developing LP. She also has had seasonal allergies for the past few summers: she licks her feet until skin is red and the hair is very thin. The first year, Benadryl helped with the itchies. The second year, Benadryl didn't work but Reactine did. The third year--last summer--neither antihistamine worked, so the vet prescribed a course of Vanectyl-P (a steroid/antihistamine combo). Not only did she stop licking her feet, but she was a whole lot less lame (she has athritis and can no longer take NSAIDS). So we continued the Vanectyl-P. After a while, I noticed that she was breathing better. She still has the occasional bout of raspiness, but it's not as bad as it was.

 

Hugs to handsome Max.

Hmmm, this is interesting. I would not have said that Max has allergies, but he does lick his feet a lot. I always thought it was sort of a self-soothing thing. The vet did mention a prednisone might help but he is on metacam for arthritis and can't take it appreantly. We are weaning him off, since he is now on cartrophen shots, that seems to be helping. Wonder if something like Vanectyl would be a possibility?

 

FWIW,Max has been on reactine for 4 nights now, and I don't know if it's helping. He is more cough-y than usual tonight (actually hacked up phlegm which is not normal!)

 

Thanks for the info!

[GreyPoopon]

No advice, just a little story: Betsy (now 12 1/2) tends to huff and puff and sometimes sounds like a freight train--I was sure she was developing LP. She also has had seasonal allergies for the past few summers: she licks her feet until skin is red and the hair is very thin. The first year, Benadryl helped with the itchies. The second year, Benadryl didn't work but Reactine did. The third year--last summer--neither antihistamine worked, so the vet prescribed a course of Vanectyl-P (a steroid/antihistamine combo). Not only did she stop licking her feet, but she was a whole lot less lame (she has athritis and can no longer take NSAIDS). So we continued the Vanectyl-P. After a while, I noticed that she was breathing better. She still has the occasional bout of raspiness, but it's not as bad as it was.

 

Hugs to handsome Max.

Hmmm, this is interesting. I would not have said that Max has allergies, but he does lick his feet a lot. I always thought it was sort of a self-soothing thing. The vet did mention a prednisone might help but he is on metacam for arthritis and can't take it appreantly. We are weaning him off, since he is now on cartrophen shots, that seems to be helping. Wonder if something like Vanectyl would be a possibility?

 

FWIW,Max has been on reactine for 4 nights now, and I don't know if it's helping. He is more cough-y than usual tonight (actually hacked up phlegm which is not normal!)

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Yeah, you can't use Metacam (NSAID) with steroids. I'd stopped using Metacam--which Betsy needed from time to time--a couple of months earlier because she was having bouts of explosive diarrhea. We kept her on Vanectyl-P instead of switching to prednisone because it didn't cause the pred-type drinking/peeing issues.

[tbhounds]

I would test for LP. It's a rather siimple test that needs to be performed. Your vet needs to give a light IV sedation and basically look at the vocal folds to see if they are opening and closing properly.

Edited June 4, 2011 by tbhounds

[Guest ThunderPaws]

I recently did some research on LP surgery for my 10 1/2 year old who has 'breathing attacks' that can be quite scary. Vets are advising me not to do the surgery due to risk of aspiration pneumonia, especially since my dog has hardly any teeth left and already tends to choke on wet or dry food.

You have to weigh the risks against benefits of LP surgery on a 13 year old dog.

[Guest HHHounds]

Our Candyman coughed a lot - with or without phlem - it was an enlarged heart. We were able to medicate.

[Fastgals]

Our Girlie had a uni-lateral tieback at 13. It was a matter of life or death for her. Best thing we could have done for her. She recovered well and strongly from the surgery. The one-side only tieback apparently greatly reduces the risk of aspiration.

Edited June 5, 2011 by Fastgals

[Remolacha]

Fletcher sounds like Max, he has had bouts of excessive panting for about three years, but only in the summer when it gets hot until this last year. My vet has checked all the usual stuff, thinks if it is LP it is in the very early stages. She suggested my next step was a specialist, since it really isn't clear what is going on. So, I guess that's next for him. If I had a definite diagnosis and an otherwise healthy 13 yr old, I think I would do the surgery, I have heard nothing but good results from others, even with older dogs.

[robinw]

pm MnMDogs. I'm pretty sure one of hers had it done.

[Guest greytfulhounds]

I had the surgery done on my Hunter this past November, 2010.....he was 12 years old & will be 13 years old in July.....he is doing great & I have no regrets doing the surgery. My mom just had the surgery done on her 12 year old greyhound within the past week & so far she is doing great too.

 

Good luck with your decision & if I can be of any help, please feel free to contact me.