02/22/2026
Our article of the month by our own Dr. Porter
Laryngeal Paralysis
By Dr. Julianne Porter
As our dogs age, we notice certain things about them. They may be stiffer in the morning, their eyes could have a cloudy look, and they may get a little grey around their muzzles. But also, in some cases, their voices seem to change. They can have a hoarse bark, raspy panting, or they can cough frequently, as if they are clearing their throat.
This condition can be caused by laryngeal paralysis, often called “lar-par”. We typically think of the larynx as the voice box, but it is also involved in protecting our trachea (the windpipe) while we eat and drink. It does this by covering the opening to the airways with two flaps, or folds. When a dog has laryngeal paralysis, the muscles that normally pull the airway open cannot work properly. This results in the laryngeal folds either weakly pulling back or not pulling back at all. In mild cases, the folds sit in the opening of the airway and create increased noise when breathing. In severe cases, the folds may stay completely shut and prevent air from getting into the lungs, creating a crisis.
This typically affects older larger-breed dogs, such as Labradors, Huskies, Great Pyrenees, etc. but it can affect any breed. Bouvier des Flandres can have a hereditary form that can affect them even when they are younger. While quite uncommon, it can also occur in cats. Lar-par is typically a gradual progression rather than a sudden onset.
To officially diagnose this condition, the larynx is evaluated while the pet is sedated. Some specialty hospitals can use endoscopy which can eliminate the need for sedation if the pet can sit still for the procedure.
Aside from raspy breathing and a change in the sound of the bark, dogs can pant heavier and tire more easily. They may also pant even when it is not hot and even when they are not active. This is because they are not getting adequate air movement through. And since dogs use panting/breathing as one of the ways to cool themselves, dogs with laryngeal paralysis are more prone to overheating, even in temperatures that would not normally cause a dog to overheat, or with minimal exertion. Cats with laryngeal paralysis will often remain subclinical (mainly due to their more sedentary lifestyle) or will exhibit a change in voice or loss of purr.
Treatment is aimed at preventing a crisis. Dogs are encouraged to wear a harness to avoid pressure on the neck and avoid excessive heat and exercise. Anti-anxiety medications can be used to keep pets calm if they are likely to become too worked up in certain situations and overheat. There are several surgical approaches that can help keep the airways open, but they are not without risks that should be taken into consideration.
The cause of lar-par has been studied and discussed, and it is now considered part of a bigger neuropathy. It has been formally renamed to “Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy” and laryngeal paralysis is considered an early symptom. With time, the legs can weaken and the esophagus can become dilated, but this progression is quite slow, so most dogs will live a normal life without major issues from this condition. It was originally thought that hypothyroidism was a cause of lar-par, but now we’ve determined that hypothyroidism can be associated with other neuropathies that may complicate the laryngeal paralysis but not cause it. Hypothyroidism should still be diagnosed and treated to help improve weakness and metabolism, but the laryngeal paralysis will not improve.
While laryngeal paralysis cannot really be prevented, most pets who develop it can still maintain a good quality of life with the proper precautions and management.
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