Managing Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs Without Surgery
Alternative Approaches to Canine Laryngeal Paralysis
Treatment vs. Management
With Lar Par, it’s important to distinguish between treatment and management. Treatment means making changes within the larynx to restore airflow past the paralyzed cartilage. Managing means modifying the behavior of the dog to help him or her live with the constricted airflow and minimize the risk of a life-threatening respiratory crisis.
Why is this controversial?
Behaviors to Avoid in Dogs with Laryngeal Paralysis
When dogs get excited, stressed, or exert themselves through exercise, they consume more oxygen. But laryngeal paralysis limits how much oxygen they can get. Keeping dogs calm and restricting exercise helps keep a balance between how much oxygen they can pull through the paralyzed larynx and how much oxygen their body requires.
Why is getting excited dangerous?
How Medications and Accupuncture May Help
There’s no scientific evidence that pharmaceuticals, naturopathic medicines, or accupuncture have any effect on the lifespan or quality of life of canine laryngeal paralysis patients. But there are a lot of people — veterinarians included — who say that medications help some dogs live better with laryngeal paralysis.
How might medications help?
How might accupuncture help?
Pharmaceuticals
While no medications have been developed specifically for laryngeal paralysis in dogs, some veterinarians prescribe pharmaceuticals developed for humans to help manage laryngeal paralysis. The use of these drugs is strictly off-label, as specified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- Doxepin
What does doxepin do for LarPar?
- Gabapentin
What does gabapentin do for LarPar?