Roth is a 14 yr old GSHP who was diagnosed with LP about 3 years ago. He has done fairly well up until Friday a week ago. He got excited as he was about to eat his dinner and before taking a bite he went into distress. He could not catch his breath, turned blue and passed out. We hosed him down, massaged his throat and after he passed out we did mouth to nose. Our vet, Dr. Fatkin at Oley Animal Hospital met us at the clinic and by that time he had come around. She gave him a steroid shot and put him on pills for a few days along with an antibiotic in case he had the onset of Asperation pneumonia.
He had another attack the following Monday but did not pass out this time. We did mouth to nose and that seemed to help him recover quicker. It is very difficult to keep him calm. He is not necessarily what you would call an active dog (running, swimming, long walks) but keeping him still is not feasible as he is the kind of dog who loves life, Everything from a pat on the head to a treat is a joy for him. As I said before he is 14 years old, his cbc is GREAT, his heart is good, kidney funtion etc all great, no joint problems and acts much younger than his 14 years.
We are going to run a t4 on him this week just incase it is thyroid related.
My vet does not do the vocal cord or tie back surgery to be honest that is not a route we wish to take as he is a prime target for AP given his enthusiam for food, water, treats, barking, bones, toys etc. I belong to the LP Alternative message board and a few members have had this surgery with some success.
We have been feeding him by hand now for about a year now with homemade food but even doing that it seems he can’t get the food in him fast enough (he is well fed but he has always been this way). We currently have him on 2 to 3 tablets of Benedryl each day and may need to start the steroid pills again. He is fed 4 to 5 small meals each day. The weather has been very poor and he can barely catch his breath 90% of the time.
Roth is in fairly good/fit condition given his age. His weight last visit about 78 pounds. I’ve been told that for a GSHP he is very tall. He does have many “bumps” that I have checked every year and so far they are just fatty tissue.
Roth being a happy dog, he excites very easily. He may go into a panic at any time
Putting what is otherwise a healthy dog to sleep is a horrible thought for me.
Can you suggest an alternative therapy that may help stimulate the nerves, and restore at least some laryngeal function.
Sincerely,
Janice Dambrackas
