What is Lar Par?

Laryngeal Paralysis, also known as lar par, is when a dog loses normal function of their larynx. The larynx is located in the back of the throat, and covers the opening to the trachea, which is your dog’s wind pipe. The larynx opens and closes to help protect the wind pipe while eating and drinking. When your dog has lar par, the larynx remains closed/partially closed when it shouldn’t due to the larynx muscles being weak/paralyzed, and it can make breathing, and sometimes eating and drinking difficult for your dog. There is also a disease known as geriatric onset laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy (GOLPP), which affects the larynx, esophagus, and hind limbs.

Causes of Lar Par

There are many causes of lar par. In Axel’s case, I believe it was caused by many years of trauma due to pulling excessively on a leash and collar when he was young. I beat myself up over many things that I know now, that I wish I knew then. I can’t change it now, but I can continue to learn more to help support my dogs and their ailments now, and as we move forward.

It can sometimes be hereditary, or a secondary disease due to other conditions. Lar par is often considered to be a condition that is “idiopathic”, which means of no known cause.

Symptoms

Voice change is one of the most noticeable and common symptoms of lar par. Sometimes you will notice coughing after eating or drinking, or randomly through the day (dry coughing). Noisy breathing (stridor) is also very common. Some characterize breathing changes as a “honking” noise. Some dogs will also start to show exercise intolerance.

Lar par can be a disease that progressively gets worse as time goes on, providing support and noticing symptoms is key in making your pet comfortable. Your vet will often diagnose laryngeal paralysis by lightly sedating your dog and checking out the larynx with a procedure called a laryngoscopy. A laryngoscopy is a procedure where your vet can visualize the larynx and see if the anatomy and see if there is normal function and motion.

In Axel’s case, his symptoms presented a long amount of time before he was diagnosed by our vet, which is common in a large majority of cases. He would breathe really loudly when he would be getting loved on, but he had done this for such a long time, we didn’t think much about it. He would sometimes be “noisy” when he would be napping, or just relaxing. A few years ago, I noticed a change in the tone of his bark, but once again chalked it up to aging. He will sometimes get “raspy” when he barks repeatedly for a long time (he loves to do this when he sees people outside the house), or when becoming overly excited.

Axel has always been a hot natured dog, but this is more noticeable for him now specifically when he sleeps around a lot of blankets, or cuddled up to the other dogs or myself closely. Due to the decreased oxygen lar par dogs are often easily overheated.

Treatment

Like all ailments, there are a variety of different treatments and things that can be done. There is a surgical option called tie-back surgery, where they will use a suture to pull one side of the airway open. There are other surgical options, and a variety of other treatments that you and your vet can discuss together. You know your pet best, and there are so many factors that can play into what the best treatment may be for them.

I am a pet parent that likes to treat conservatively when I can. I am fortunate that Axel shows minimal symptoms, where I haven’t felt the need for an intense intervention. You will notice a theme throughout many of my blogs, but there are basic “building blocks” of things that I do for all of my dogs that I believe are vital and beneficial for all dogs, regardless of their ailments or lack of.

What I Do

Diet is one of the single most important things that you can do for all of your dogs, regardless of their ailments. I feed a raw food diet to all of my dogs. I thoroughly believe that providing my dogs with foods that are species appropriate, full of moisture, nutrients, and are unprocessed is the most important thing that I do. Raw feeding has a multitude of benefits for your pup. I use Dr. Harvey’s base mixes for all meals to make sure I am providing a nutritionally complete diet. Paradigm is the food I use most frequently, I love that it is low-carb and low glycemic.

For raw proteins, I love switching up the proteins that they eat. All proteins are made up of different vitamins, minerals, and goodness for your pup. There are lots of great resources out there on how to transition to a raw food diet, and how to best balance ratios of organ meat and muscle meat. I love ordering my proteins from Cherry Valley Holistics (her website is on the way), and Raw Feeding Miami to have a rotation of unique proteins. I especially love feeding Axel proteins that are rich in collagen, glucosamine, collagen, and cartilage to provide joint support for his IVDD, and support for his lar par. Bone broth, tendons, tracheas, and chicken and duck feet are my go to proteins for this.

Supplements are also an important part in supporting Axel’s lar par. I use Dr. Harvey’s Solaris to help maintain and strengthen his immune system. It is a supplement that has a morning powder, Sunrise, an evening powder, Sunset. I also use their CoQ10 for cardiovascular support and immune support, along with the punch of antioxidants it helps provide. I recently starting adding Adored Beasts Gut Soothe into his regimen. It is an awesome pre and probiotic, but it also contains ingredients that help soothe and provide anti-inflammatory properties for the mucosal lining. I use Suzie’s CBD treats and Suzie’s Goes Nuts peanut butter to help provide further anti-inflammatory properties, and help ease his anxiety. To note, I do not use every supplement each day. I like to rotate and switch it up, and I do not really have a schedule for when he receives each supplement.

Harnesses help take the pressure off of the larynx and throat area when bringing Axel out on walks. Knowing what I do now, I use harnesses for the whole crew, and will use them permanently moving forward. I personally love Ruffwears Front Range Dog Harness, it is easy to take on and off, and easy to adjust. I don’t walk Axel when it is extremely hot or humid, and always make sure that he has water available to him so he can remain cool.

Essential Oils are something I like to use for an additional layer of support. I only use AnimalEO that are created by a vet and are formulated for safe use around animals. There is a wealth of information on how to effectively and safely use their products. Open Air is one of my favorites to diffuse for respiratory support and it makes the house smell great. I have a variety of oils from them, I personally love diffusing oils and believe they also provide a great aromatherapy benefit for all of us!

Where Are We Today?

Axel has done really well through the years since it was realized he has laryngeal paralysis. He is extremely active, and spends a lot of time playing pretty hard with the crew, running around in the yard, and going out on adventures. He still has some noisy breathing, but not all of the time. There are some days that I notice it a lot more then others, but nothing that is overly overwhelming.

The key is monitoring what is and isn’t normal for your dog. I think the hardest part in managing for Axel is he is an anxious dog, and although his anxiety is very well managed, he sometimes still has moments where he is on edge. He will pant and pace, and it can take him some time to calm down and cool down when in those moments.

Axel loves people, especially when they come over. He is the dog that will hang out with a stranger all night if they give him love. People will often ask why he breathes so loud, since he is often noisy when being loved on.

I believe his diet more than anything has provided him total body support. When I moved the crew to raw feeding I never expected to see the change I did. If it wasn’t for his gray face, you would never know Axel was 12. He has great body tone and energy levels. He keeps up with our 3 year old crazy boxer Zeena, which speaks volumes!

What Else?

It can be overwhelming when researching different health ailments. It can also be daunting to try and figure out what treatment plan is the best for your pup. Do not lose hope! There are many great resources out there, and I have added a couple of my favorites below.

Disclaimer: This blog post/social media content in no way is meant to diagnose or treat your animals health. Please consult your veterinarian for all medical conditions and health ailments of your pet. For full disclosure, after using their products and loving them I became an ambassador for Dr. Harvey’s and Suzie’s CBD products.