Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy

Most dogs with laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy have noisy or raspy breathing, changes in barking, and do not tolerate exercise. Some dogs can have difficulty walking, uncoordinated motion, and muscle weakness.

The age of onset varies by breed. In Leonbergers, the average age of onset was 3.4 years. In Saint Bernards, the average was 2.1 years. Labrador Retrievers' average age was 7.5 years (Letko, 2020).

Diagnosis is made based on history and physical examination of the function of the larynx, which is typically performed with sedation.

Treatment is aimed at reducing episodes of respiratory distress and environmental modification. Some dogs may be candidates for the surgical opening of the larynx (often referred to as a “tie-back”). However, there is an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia after the procedure.

Talk to your vet about your dog’s polyneuropathy result so you can plan ongoing care and monitoring.

Watch for signs such as voice changes, noisy breathing, weakness, or difficulty swallowing, and contact your vet if you notice any of these.

Maintain your dog at a healthy weight and keep them in a calm environment. Avoid strenuous exercise or overheating, as these can worsen breathing problems.

As this condition can progress over time, supportive care and a safe, predictable routine can help keep your dog comfortable and engaged with their family.

This variant was first identified in the Saint Bernard, Labrador Retriever, and Leonberger.

Penetrance: The publication reports that 4.1% of Leonbergers with unexplained laryngeal paralysis had two copies of this variant. In Saint Bernards, 41.6% of diagnosed dogs had two copies of the variant. In Labrador Retrievers, 4.7% of diagnosed dogs had two copies of this variant. The variant was also found in at least 25 different breeds, but the clinical impact in those breeds is unknown (Letko, 2020).

Gene

CNTNAP1 Exon 18

Inheritance type

recessive

Clinical category

Neuromuscular

Citations

1. Letko et al 2020

• Labrador Retriever
• English Labrador Retriever
• Saint Bernard
• Leonberger