Late‐onset laryngeal paralysis: Owner perception of quality of life and cause of death

• Published in: Veterinary medicine and science 2020-08, Vol.6 (3), p.306-313
• Main Authors: Sample, Susannah J., Stilin, Allison, Binversie, Emily E., Baker, Lauren A., Hardie, Robert J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Airway management; Animals; arytenoid lateralization; Cause of Death; Death; Disease; Dog Diseases - mortality; Dog Diseases - psychology; Dogs; Female; Labrador Retriever; laryngeal paralysis; Late Onset Disorders - mortality; Late Onset Disorders - psychology; Male; Original; Ownership; Paralysis; Perception; Perceptions; Pets; polyneuropathy; Quality of Life; Questionnaires; Surgery; Veterinarians; Vocal Cord Paralysis - mortality; Vocal Cord Paralysis - psychology; Vocal Cord Paralysis - veterinary
• ISSN: 2053-1095; 2053-1095
• DOI: 10.1002/vms3.240

Background Late‐onset laryngeal paralysis (LoLP) is an idiopathic disease of older dogs, and is common in the Labrador Retriever. Owner perspective of how LoLP affects their pet's quality of life (QOL), the degree to which LoLP is perceived to be a life‐limiting disease, and how a glottic opening procedure affects these perceptions is not known. Objectives (a) To determine owner's perception of late‐onset laryngeal paralysis (LoLP) with respect to their dog's QOL; (b) To determine whether LoLP is considered by owners to be a life‐limiting disease; (c) To evaluate whether a glottic opening procedure altered QOL and perceived cause of death in affected dogs. Methods Owners of Labrador Retrievers with LoLP completed a questionnaire. Questions were asked pertaining to a dog's LoLP, including clinical progression and perception of cause of death, and whether a glottic opening procedure was undertaken. Owners also completed a pet‐owner administered QOL survey. Results Seventy‐six owners participated. Overall, 94% of owners felt their dog's LoLP affected QOL, and 47% of owners felt LoLP was a large contributing factor in their dog's death. Dogs that underwent a glottic opening procedure were reported to have a better QOL, and the contribution of LoLP towards their death was less than dogs that did not have surgery. Conclusion Owners of Labrador Retrievers with LoLP perceive LoLP to be a life‐limiting disease that negatively impacts their dog's QOL. Arytenoid lateralization surgery had a positive impact on QOL in affected dogs. Owner perspective of how late‐onset laryngeal paralysis (LoLP) affects their pet's quality of life, the degree to which LoLP is perceived to be a life limiting disease, and how a glottic opening procedure affects these perceptions is not known. Seventy six owners of dogs affected with LoLP were surveyed. Results show that LoLP is considered by owners to be a life‐limiting disease that negatively impacts their dog's quality of life, and arytenoid lateralization surgery had a positive impact on quality of life for affected dogs.