In common with other breeds, many elderly vizslas develop a condition known as Laryngeal Paralysis.The principal signs are noisy, wheezy breathing and heat/ exercise intolerance (because of lowered oxygen levels) A lot of these vizslas have been helped by a procedure known as “tie-back surgery”
The girl in the video had successful surgery at 13yo and lived another 2 great and active years where she breathed eaily once again
Here is a video clip of an affected dog – turn up the volume to hear a very distinctive wheeze
Whilst we have long known of Laryngeal Paralysis in elderly dogs there is now a worrying trend for the disease to appear in very young vizslas. The Hungarian Vizsla is now a breed identified by the Veterinary profession as one where Juvenile Onset Laryngeal Paralysis should be included in the differential diagnosis for young dogs presenting with signs of upper airway obstruction.
If your young vizsla has been diagnosed with, or is showing signs of, Laryngeal Paralysis – please make contact (either directly or via the health survey) We need to understand more about the incidence and distribution of the disease. We also have a growing band of owners with affected vizslas that are keen to raise awareness and to help others get speedy diagnosis and treatment. The early days can be challenging and worrying – help and reassurance is at hand
Tie back surgery has so far proved very effective for the cases of Juvenile Onset LP – that we have followed. Some individuals have been doing well – just with conservative management (exercise avoidance in hot weather, for example)
With these young vizslas, it remains to be seen whether the disease will continue to affect only the laryngeal inervation (a mononeuropathy) or whether the disease will progress to a more generalised polyneuropathy
The following vids show typical WHEEZING, STRIDOR, COUGHING & SNORTING and VOICE CHANGE