Prolapsed larynx in elderly Springer spaniel

[Vambo]

My dog Snoop is a 13 year old Springer spaniel and he has been diagnosed with a prolapsed larynx. I decided not to opt for corrective surgery because of his advanced age and the lengthy recovery time, and possible complications. Sometimes he coughs really hard, and he has raspy breathing on exertion, but he is a happy soul and still enjoys his walks very much.

I was wondering if anyone else has a dog with this condition, and if there is anything we could be doing to help him? For example, he loves water and always goes in the river if we let him, not to swim but just to stand in it. Will getting cold and wet affect his larynx? We have stopped using a collar and he now has a harness, but he still tends to be rasping on a walk especially when he is excited to get there. I know we have to avoid him getting too hot, but should we be restricting the length of his walks?

He is on Previcox for arthritis in his hips and he has a few non cancerous lumps including some which affect his scent glands. Apart from that he is very healthy and eats well.

All the best
Vambo

 

[Vambo]

 

[Kara 1]

I think you have to just think of his quality of life and as long as he is happy then keep doing what you are doing. .

 

[JoanneF]

An acquaintance's dog was prescribed Corvental, which is for lower airway disease, but it helped with his collapsed trachea. It might be worth asking your vet if he thinks it is worth a try. There is also a supplement called Throat Gold but I have no idea if it is effective at all.

 

[merlina]

we have had an elderly corgi with this and also didn't go with surgery. He lived a reasonable life but we did restrict it- giving shorter exercise only in the cooler part of the day and never in intense cold. No we didn't let him near water. And the thing he hated most: we gave him an all-over clip for the summer so he'd stay cooler. You can change his life with you without having to spoil it!