Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy in Dogs

Category: Nervous System & Behavioral
Breeds documented: 3
Published sources: 7

Overview

Damage to several nerves can affect both breathing and movement. When nerves serving the voice box fail, its opening cannot widen normally during a breath, restricting airflow. Other affected nerves can cause weakness, an unusual walk and shrinking leg muscles. This combination often develops in older dogs, although inherited forms can appear earlier in life.

Signs to watch for

Rough, noisy breathing
A changed or weaker-sounding bark
Tiring easily during activity
Stumbling or lifting the legs unusually high
Difficulty swallowing

Onset varies: older dogs are commonly affected, while some inherited forms start much younger.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if your dog is struggling to breathe.

Diagnosis and tests

A vet examines breathing, movement and nerve function, and checks the voice box while the dog is sedated. Tests of nerve and muscle tissue samples may help confirm more widespread nerve damage. DNA tests identify some inherited forms, but they do not explain every case of this nerve disorder.

Breeds with documented risk

3 breeds

By breed size

1 Large
2 Giant

Labrador RetrieverLarge · Sporting Group
Saint BernardGiant · Working Group
LeonbergerGiant · Working Group

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.