The Symptoms of Canine Laryngeal Paralysis

Canine laryngeal paralysis is a slow progressive disease of the respiratory tract of dogs. Most commonly the disease affects older, larger dogs. It is caused by paralysis of the muscles of the larynx (voice box) which then cannot open and expand when the dog takes a breath. Symptoms of canine laryngeal paralysis include voice changes, coughing, gagging, noisy breathing and breathing difficulties.

  1. Voice Changes

    • The affected dog’s voice will change due to the paralysis of the vocal cords in the larynx. The dog will sound hoarse when he attempts to bark. Many times this is the first symptom that the owners notice.

    Dry Cough

    • The dog will frequently acquire a cough. Coughing is a reflective act to clear the airway of harmful items that might cause infection. The larynx functions to prevent materials from entering the upper respiratory tract. Since the muscles do not function properly, material may enter the upper airway causing the coughing reflex. If this is the only symptom, many owners frequently dismiss it as a minor throat infection.

    Gagging

    • The dog may also frequently gag or retch when eating. Because of the area of the throat that is affected by laryngeal paralysis, the swallowing action may be impaired. Inhalation pneumonia--food or liquid being inhaled into the respiratory tract--can occasionally occur. This symptom should be brought to the attention of the dog’s veterinarian.

    Noisy Breathing

    • The dog may pant excessively, especially when it is excited, playing hard or exercising. Because the muscles are paralyzed, the airway is narrower than normal and may swell because of the poorly functioning muscles. When the dog inhales air, the obstruction caused by the paralyzed muscles will cause a distinctive roaring or even quacking sound when it inhales. This harsh, high-pitched sound is called stridor--a very distinctive sound that should alert the owner that the dog needs veterinary attention.

    Difficulty Breathing

    • As the disease progresses the dog will experience difficulty in breathing. At first, the dog may only have breathing problems as it exercises or gets excited, then it may have problems at all times. As the disease progresses, the dog may collapse due to lack of taking in sufficient amount of air to continue breathing. The gums may turn blue and the dog may faint due to a lack of oxygen. In some cases, this can also lead to death if the dog does not receive prompt treatment.