LP in our baby Coco

[mvhicks1]

Hello we are new to this forum, and I want to thank and bless all you who take the time to be responsible owners of our pet friends. Our 14 week old Rotty, Coco started wheezing about 4-5 weeks ago and we have been notified by the breeder that there is a problem with the litter. Out of twelve pups, 5 are showing signs of LP and 1 has been PTS on 12/31/05. From what we are finding out, this is a progressive disease and occurs mostly in the mature dog friend. Is there any advice on LP and pups? We are taking her to a neuro specialist on 1/18/06 for further evaluation. I have been told that the surgery to open the airway can not be done until she is about 1 year old. We don't know if she can survive this year, however we are not willing to give in to it yet. Anybody??? We are just recovering slightly from the loss of our big boy King, only 8 years and 4 months, who passed 11/05/05 due to hemolytic anemia. Heart is Heavy in Pacific Beach, CA. Mike.

[BostonRott]

What is LP? All I keep thinking is lumbar puncture and obviously that's not what you're referring to.

[moondog]

Laryngeal Paralysis. And wow, it does not sound promising for this to occur so young and for it to be affecting the entire litter. The surgical options appear to be peppered with complications. Is there any history in the parents/grandparents for this?

I can't figure out how to post the link to a pdf document, but if you google up "LP respiratory distress canine", there's an article by Barbara Kirby about this condition.

[mvhicks1]

Thank you all for your quick resposes. We are truely not alone. LP is short for Laryngeal Paralysis. It starts as a choking, wheezing, breathing disorder and has some undetermined neuro-muscular problems that can effect the legs and spinal cord. Five of her litter mates are showing similar symptoms and one poor boy was PTS already. Coco seems fine until she plays too hard with her brother Eiger and then she justs drops out after only a couple of minutes of activity. It is all new to us and we are coping and keeping her calm for now, but kids are kids and want to play...I can't find much information abouit pups and LP as it occurs mostly in the mature dog. I have posted in this forum and also joined a group all about the LP dog. After we lossed our great friend King 11/05/05 due to hemolytic anemia, this one is almost too much to handle.
Mike, Valerie, Eiger and Coco in Pacific Beach, CA. ( We named her Coco because her coat is a dark chocolate brown, not black like most.)

[BostonRott]

Originally Posted by mvhicks1

( We named her Coco because her coat is a dark chocolate brown, not black like most.)

Is LP known to run in certain breeds? What do you think she is mixed with? (purebred Rottweilers are not chocolate as a base color).

The surgeon said they couldn't do anything until she's 1.....because of her small size? Is there a possibility that at a major university there is someone that can do this as a pediatric procedure?

[Tank's Grandma]

Did you see a surgical specialist? I'm in San Diego and know a good one. Don't know if they specifically do this procedure, but they specialize in orthopedics, neurology/neurosurgery and soft tissue surgery.
Veterinary Surgical Specialists in Kearny Mesa.
Good luck.

[mvhicks1]

Originally Posted by BostonRott

Is LP known to run in certain breeds? What do you think she is mixed with? (purebred Rottweilers are not chocolate as a base color).

The surgeon said they couldn't do anything until she's 1.....because of her small size? Is there a possibility that at a major university there is someone that can do this as a pediatric procedure?

That what my wife says.Her brother is jet black and she has some brown mixed into her puppy fur. She will see a neuro-muscular specialist this Wednesday. Our local vet told us she felt the surgery needed to be at 12 months due to her impending growth this year. I really thank you for taking the time to share some comfort with us.
Mike,Valerie, Eiger, and Coco in PB

[mvhicks1]

Hello, Thank you for caring.. We are taking her to a neuro-muscular specialist in Sorrento Valley on Wednesday. Our local vet referred us.
Regards,
Mike, Valerie, Eiger the brother, and Coco, 15 weeks.