Thanks for sharing Keith,

My beloved dog HRCH Luke L., RIP, was affected by this. I thought he was in heart failure at first, but was diagnosed with LP. By the time he was having symptoms, he was 13 and losing coordination (walking funny). It was soon obvious that he had some type of neurologic disease going on. He also had a temporary episode of vestibular syndrome (not sure if this was related to the laryngeal paralysis). I chose not to treat the laryngeal paralysis. He always loved riding in the back seat of my truck. Took him to McD's for his favorite bite of cheeseburger at 13.5 years of age before going to vet and putting him to rest..Vet was nice enough to come to my truck so he wouldn't have to leave he backseat.

 

vestibular syndrome

Interesting. We lost a faithful lab to vestibular syndrome who also had LP. He actually had paralysis twice and we put him to rest with the second episode.

 

I actually have my 13 year old FC Cosmo's Concerto Charlie son signed up for the CCL and LarPar study. They are letting my vet buddy do the x-rays locally and send them in. I figured he would be a good candidate since he has never had an issue with either. I know old Jack is just one dog but I hope if enough people sign up the experts can get us some real answers!

 

I have passed the link along to a friend who has a golden who was just diagnosed with LP. Hopefully she will participate!

 

I've got a 14 year old that can participate. I will put this in my clubs newsletter. Thanks!!!

 

My 13 yr old Tiger female would qualify and her sister is here locally, and I know the owners would let me sample her.

 

Still taking enrollments, swabbed my affected 13 year-old today.

 

They are asking me for more information about two unaffected and one affected dog.

 

My 12 year old ylf just had the tie back surgery at Colorado State and participated in a clinical trial on gastroesophageal reflux and its possible relationship with aspiration pneumonia in dogs with lar par. She was monitored with a nasoesophageal probe for about 24 hours, then they performed the surgery. The website says they credit you $350 for participating in the study, but I received $500. Being a scientist myself, participating in this was a no-brainer for me.

http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/...of-gastroesophageal-reflux-in-dogs-with-laryngeal-paralysis-clinical-trial.aspx

 

I emailed them, hoping we can participate and help in the study.

 

I took 3 labs to Madison yesterday. Great experience and received results on tests and xrays. They are looking for more dogs. Also labs and rottweilers for the cruciate study.

 

Bringing my LP affected 11 y/o lab to the UW Vet school in a week to participate in the study.

 

We were back in Madison this week for a follow up of my dogs in the study. They are making great progress but are in need of more labs and rottweillers. Please join the study.

 

My almost 12 yr old girl was just diagnosed with LP. Are they doing any studies in the New Orleans area. I would gladly take part in the study if close by.

 

I believe they will send you a package with swabs and info. The email is genetics@vetmed.wisc.edu and genetic lab's phone number is 608-265-5828.

 

thanks, I just sent an email to them. I really know nothing about this and my girl was just diagnosed a week ago.

 

They took DNA swabs from me. I was in New Mexico at the time. Had a definitive diagnosis. They never physically saw my dog.

 

Is there any treatment to help slow this down.

 

I think it may be off label, but gabapentin was prescribed for my dog. It seems to help and, even though he's pretty bad, I haven't felt like I had to have the tie back surgery done. Multiple dogs are being treated this way in my neck of the woods.

 

My lab’s hind quarters are so weak that they give out on him at times. He is quite hoarse when he barks also. Hate to see him like this and his declining mobility.

 

Its so awful. Carson is a field champion. He started running HT after he retired. But now he's hoarse like you say, pants heavily after a 10-yard retrieve (which we don't do anymore), and is also steadily losing mobility. He now stumbles around regularly. Going up and down the stairs - well, we'll see how long he can keep staying in my downstairs room. To see this deterioration in such an athlete, in what is the canine equivalent of an Olympic medalist, breaks my heart. I'm told its linked to neurological deterioration that starts in the hindquarters, slowly moving forward. I've seen something similar in my Goldens, both with and without the LP. Carson is the worst. I discovered its not just the gold dogs, this black one is so bad.

 

I didn't know until today that LP also affected the muscles in the hind legs. I just thought my girl was just getting old. I am going to put her on weight mgt ProPlan and see if that helps some. She is not overly over weight and Vet didn't say anything about her weight but I think it might help. I did contact the research clinic and they are sending me a kit to get started. I really do not like the idea of the surgery. Too much chance of aspiration and do not want to do that to my girl. She loves to eat and I put water in her food to slow her down, so I do not want to take a chance of her having the food or water go down the wrong pipe.

 

I'm with you about the surgery, Karen. I may consider a partial tie back at some point, but I'd rather not. If he gets a lot worse, maybe. Aspiration pneumonia doesn't sound like anything I want Carson to experience.

 

Thanks for you reply

 

Several years ago I watched my 12 yr old dog die from LP. He went for walk and began gasping for air. By the time I got him 8 miles to vet his tongue was blue and was letting out a “yip” about every 10’seconds. Temp was past the 110 mark on thermometer. Put him to sleep immediately. He really wasn’t that bad before this attack. A terrible way for him to die and a terrible thing for wife and I to watch.

 

That is so sad Tom. I am truly worried on how the end will be for my 11-year-old. The weakness in his legs seems to be progressing quickly. His bark is always hoarse. Tough to see how much he still wants to retrieve.