Question for Veterinarians

DMV specializes in skin issues. I'll holla at him and tell him to respond.

I'll preface this by saying I'm not a vet, but I did work for a vet during high school and briefly during college

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My 9-year-old chocolate lab was diagnosed with GOLPP. The vet gave me some literature and said surgery is an option. Anyone have experience with this condition in their dog? Should I have the surgery performed? Is there a greater risk putting him to sleep at his age versus the procedure? Any other thoughts?

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I remember a high school friend's black lab having the same condition. "Port" was a patient of the clinic I worked at back home.

I'm not sure if there are any new procedures for treatment/surgery for GOLPP, but from what I remember the vets performed an arytenoid fixing on Port. Basically 1 side of the arytenoid cartilage is sewn in an open position.

The Good: This helped Port breathe, eat, play, exercise, etc. Definitely made his final years happier and more enjoyable. The surgery itself seemed pretty basic, so that's always good.

The Bad: Port was more susceptible to a type of bronchopneumonia due to his throat never completely closing. Dirt and bacteria has an easier access to the lungs basically. The pneumonia itself was pretty treatable. I think Port had pneumonia 3 times in the 3 years after the surgery. Port was also a boat dog...loved going out on it and swimming. Swimming became a big no-no for Port. It was a choking/drowning hazard for him.

My friend eventually put Port to sleep due to him losing a majority of function and strength in his hind legs. Port had a preexisting leg injury which was compounded by the nerve degradation associated with GOLPP


So that's the one experience with GOLPP where I've been able to see both sides. For their particular situation, the surgery was a wise choice. Both Port and his family enjoyed several happy years together after the surgery.

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The vets here might have a different view or opinion or suggestion, but in the one case I'm familiar with, it seems like surgery was the best option. The vets here will know if that's a typical experience or rare. I know one of them is always around on Friday/Saturday of gamedays.

Good luck. Wish the best for your dog

Sorry to see this about your dog. Acquired Laryngeal paralysis is a neuropathy that affects an older dogs ability to essentially pull back the cartilage around the airway and breathe normally. Trauma to the neck area and subsequent damage to the laryngeal nerve can be a cause but often is idiopathic. Should always check for other causes of the neuropathy such as diabetes or hypothyroidism. Non surgical options (steroids, wt loss, decrease activity)are usually not sufficient for this disease without the surgery. Main thing is to be sure that your DVM sends you to someone who is comfortable and competent performing this type of surgery. If you need more info, let me know.