Geriatric-onset laryngeal paralysis polyneuropathy, GOLPP in Dogs

Breeds documented
9
Published sources
3

Overview

With this slowly progressive nerve disorder, the voice box cannot open normally during breathing. The problem affects several nerves, so it can also weaken the back legs and interfere with swallowing. Swallowing problems raise the risk of food or water entering the lungs and causing pneumonia, a lung infection. Breathing changes may appear before obvious weakness elsewhere in the body.

Signs to watch for

  • Noisy or raspy breathing
  • A hoarse bark or a change in its sound
  • Coughing or gagging
  • Bringing food back up after swallowing
  • Tiring more easily during exercise
  • Increasing weakness in the back legs
  • Blue tongue or gums, or collapse

Usually begins in older dogs; one university guide gives an average age of 11 years.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if your dog has severe trouble breathing.

Diagnosis and tests

Vets confirm laryngeal paralysis by watching the voice box during a sedated examination. A physical and neurologic examination helps assess the wider nerve disorder. Chest and neck X-rays may be recommended, and a moving X-ray study of swallowing can show how well the esophagus, the tube carrying food to the stomach, works.

Breeds with documented risk

9 breeds

By breed size
  • 1 Toy
  • 1 Small
  • 1 Medium
  • 5 Large
  • 1 Giant

Most popular breeds on this list

All 9 breeds, A to Z

Inheritance

  • Not yet known

    None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.

Sources

  1. vet.cornell.edu
  2. cvm.msu.edu
  3. Afghan Hound: journals.jsava.aosis.co.za