A Change in the Bark: Recognising Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs

In this guide

Laryngeal paralysis affects the muscles that open and close the voice box, which normally moves out of the way to let air flow freely when a dog breathes in. When those muscles stop working, breathing becomes progressively harder, especially with exercise, heat, or excitement.

Who it typically affects

It is most common in older, large breed dogs, particularly Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters, and Afghan Hounds. Veterinary understanding of this condition has shifted in recent years: what used to be treated as an isolated problem with the voice box is now generally understood to be one part of a wider, slowly progressive nerve disease called geriatric onset laryngeal paralysis polyneuropathy, or GOLPP, which can also affect the nerves controlling the hind legs and, sometimes, the oesophagus.

Signs to watch for

• A change in bark, often becoming hoarse or raspy
• Noisy, high pitched breathing, particularly on inhaling
• Reduced tolerance for exercise or heat
• Coughing, especially around eating or drinking
• In severe cases, blue tinged gums or collapse, particularly in hot or humid conditions

Why this is especially relevant in Indian summers

Because affected dogs cannot pant as efficiently to cool down, hot, humid Indian weather significantly raises the risk of a breathing crisis in a dog with laryngeal paralysis. Owners of large breed seniors showing early noisy breathing should be particularly cautious about exercise timing and heat exposure.

Diagnosis and treatment

Vets typically diagnose this under light sedation, watching whether the voice box moves normally during breathing. Mild cases are sometimes managed with weight control, avoiding heat and overexertion, and keeping the dog calm during stressful situations. Dogs with significant breathing difficulty usually benefit from a surgical procedure called a tie back, which permanently holds one side of the voice box open to improve airflow, with a good success rate for restoring easier breathing, though the surgery carries a small ongoing risk of aspiration since it changes the airway's normal protective function.

Because GOLPP is a progressive nerve disease rather than a problem confined to the voice box, many affected dogs go on to develop hind leg weakness and muscle wasting over months to years, even after successful tie back surgery. This is not usually painful, and physiotherapy and controlled exercise can meaningfully help maintain mobility and muscle strength as the disease progresses, similar to the approach used for degenerative myelopathy elsewhere in this series.

Common Questions

Q: Can young dogs get laryngeal paralysis? A: Rare congenital forms exist in young dogs of specific breeds such as Huskies, but the far more common GOLPP form is a disease of senior dogs specifically.

Q: Does tie back surgery change how a dog barks? A: Bark quality can change slightly after the surgery, though most owners find this a small trade off for easier breathing.

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