KANSAS
June 15, 1986 - March 13, 2000
BREED: LABRADOR RETRIEVER
AGE AT TIME OF SURGERY: 12 YEARS
DATE OF SURGERY: MAY 5 & 6, 1998
TYPE OF SURGERY: DOUBLE TIE BACK, CARTILAGE EXCISION, VOCAL FOLD REMOVAL
OWNER: DORIS ENGBERTSON
EMAIL: lablover@relaypoint.net
Picture taken 6 weeks post-op
GREAT NEWS!!! KANSAS CELEBRATES HER
1ST REBIRTHDAY ON MAY 5, 1999
On February 15, 1998, my almost 12 year old Kansas started frequent, excessive and hard edged panting along with throat clearing that sounded a lot like the honking of a goose. I will try and describe the panting and "honking" so that you will be able to see the difference between what is normal and what is not. This is hard to do without benefit of sound but I will try my best. The panting can happen at anytime, not just when she is hot or has been exercising. When she inhales there is a "harsh edge" sound to, similar to the wheeze of an asthmatic. This panting is more pronounced and prolonged when she is excited or stressed. The "honking can also happen at any time and sounds something like a loud "HRRRAAACH". This clearing can be a one time deal or can be repeated. These episodes did not last very long but were noticeable enough for me to start keeping a log and to keep a close eye on her. I went to my books as well as the Internet to try and find some answers. The pickings were slim but I finally found one small paragraph that mentioned Laryngeal Paralysis, it sounded like it just might be a fit. About a week later I had a Veterinarian who was helping her brother with his puppy search come to my home. When she heard Kansas pant she said "laryngeal paralysis" once again leading me in the direction of that diagnosis. I then went to my two Labrador Email lists and asked if anyone had information that might be helpful. Once again the responses I got confirmed what I feared. I also learned that there is an LP (Laryngeal Paralysis) email list so I subscribed to it.
On March 14, I went to see my own Veterinarian and unfortunately my diagnosis was immediately confirmed. Kansas did indeed have LP. Just what is LP? That’s a good question. There is so little information available that it is hard to find a non-technical explanation. From what I can understand, LP is sometimes seen in older dogs and is caused when the nerves and muscles of the larynx do not function properly, one or both sides of the larynx do not open or close as the should, impairing breathing.
Now that we had a diagnosis we had to figure out a course of action. The options open to us were; scraping the inside of the larynx, stitching open one or both sides of the larynx so that it would not close or trying various medications to see if we could control it. Since Kansas’ episodes were not severe to start we opted to try medications and leave the surgery option open (tacking open one side of the larynx) should the need arise at a later date. Kansas was put on 5mg of Hycodan every 12 hours. On days that this did not quite to the trick we added 25mg of Benedryl as needed. This did the trick for a while but Kansas finally had to undergo surgery on May 5,1998. Kansas devloped complications and had to return for more surgery on May 6. After a week in intensive care, Kansas come home and started her recovery.
As I said earlier, I have been keeping a log or journal ( page 1 & page 2 ) to record just what was happening. This journal touches on what we went through and will touch lightly on good days and the not so good ones. The fewer and more time between dates means that things went OK and were pretty much under control.
Kansas' surgery was done by Dr. Jack D. Henry, DVM, MS, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
in Woodland Hills, CA. 818 887-2263
I fully believe that without Dr, Henry's skilled hands Kansas would never have made it home to us.
Please drop by GODIVA LABRADORS for a visit
1998-2001 LP List
