Burt is a Springer Spaniel x German Shorthaired Pointer. 

His owner Lynne shares their journey with us:

"After Burt was diagnosed with cancer in 2016,  my partner began keeping a diary so I was able to check back through it and find the first symptoms of Laryngeal Paralysis.

Burt had started snoring quite loudly at night, as well as occasional “gurgling” sounds when awake and lying down. These both started around the middle of 2020. In Nov 2020, I mentioned them at a vet visit and regular monitoring was advised.  

In Jan 2021 at a check-up,  it was noted that the snoring was continuing and also that Burt's back legs were 'sinking'. At this stage it was suggested these things were  a combination of his age, possibly something neurological or even a tumor given his history. 

However, in July Burt was sent to Paragon Referrals regarding his hind limb weakness and also the now heavy panting he was doing on our walks. 

Following a full CT scan regarding his larynx, Paragon they suggested there was possibly 'mild Laryngeal Paralysis', and the associated wider polyneuropathy known as GOLPP, especially given the neurological symptoms with his hind legs.  Unfortunately on the same scan they found a large growth on his spleen and a couple of nodules showed up in his lungs. 

His spleen was removed and the growth was actually a huge lipoma (fatty lump).

We then spent the next months concentrating on the tumours in his lungs. During this time he had repeat scans and checks for his lungs and hind legs and he was showing signs of lumbosacral disease which would contribute to the hind leg issues.  

Due to adverse reactions to the chemotherapy we stopped his treatment in Feb 2022. Following this, during visits to our regular vet for other treatments, I again mentioned Burt's breathing  as I felt it was deteriorating. 

As with many other owners,  our experience was that our vet was reluctant to recommend tie back surgery due to the risk of aspiration pneumonia.

Our vet said several times that if it was her own dog she would not do it. My partner was also of the opinion that we not rush into it. 

However, by June 2022 I was concerned enough by the deterioration in his breathing to request a referral to Paragon again.

Our lovely surgeon David Barker immediately noted the loud panting/breathing, and confirmed that the Laryngeal Paralysis was now at a stage that a tie back would benefit Burt. 

Even with Burt's medical history,  David felt we had to focus on the  quality, rather than the  quantity of life.  Also,  with easier breathing, Burt would be able to exercise more and this might well improve his hind limb weakness.

David also pointed out it would be better to consider surgery sooner rather than later due to the risk of suffocation (fatal breathing crisis). He had witnessed this in another dog and did not want to see it again. 

 So eventually in June 2022 Burt had his tie back. There were no surgical complications. His recovery was great and uneventful. 

The worst part was stressing about how to feed him in the first few weeks. I did not get on with making “meatballs”. I eventually gave in to simply moistening his kibble enough to get rid of any 'dust'.

Burt's breathing was noticeably improved as was his whole demeanour. We reflected that he had become more interactive with us following his operation. 

He was more lively and more like the boy we remembered. 

Burt reached his 13th Birthday in September 2022. 

At this stage, Oct 2022 we are 4 months post surgery.

 So far he has not had any issues with Aspiration Pneumonia. 

He does appear to have slight acid reflux  but nothing that is overly of concern so it is controlled by his diet. The main issue is a sad sign of his polyneuropathy with his hind limb weakness that we know will gradually deteriorate. 

Thanks to the tie back surgery improving his breathing we are able to encourage him to keep walking and he has regular hydrotherapy which will hopefully keep those legs a bit stronger for a bit longer. 

As his surgeon, David said:  'It is about quality over quantity of life'. 

We would like both but I'll take whatever keeps my boy happy. If he is happy I am happy.'  

Our positive experience with surgery has helped give my regular vet another outlook. She has since referred another dog with LP to David Barker at Paragon.