I couldn’t wait to see who she was going to grow up to be. I could have never imagined a more perfect dog.
Hey there everyone, I’d like to talk about our girl Elsa for a bit. If you follow me on instagram, you already know that yesterday was her birthday. This was a biggy, 13. It was even bigger because I truly wasn’t sure that she was going to make her 13th. Early this year she became extremely incontinent; the kind of incontinent that is shocking when you take the diaper off in the morning. There did not seem to be a reason that was obvious.
When my dogs turn 10 years of age we do annual torso ultrasounds and extensive senior blood panels. Since then we have not found anything out of the ordinary. But early in the year when she became so extremely incontinent she also was breathing weird. The breathing has become the main “old girl” issue now. What I thought was a lung issue turned out to be a larynx problem.
Labradors are the breed most commonly effected by Laryngeal paralysis. I know that I’ve heard many heavy breathing older labs over the years. I never considered that our Elsa would be effected. Could it have been caused by her spinal stroke years ago? Perhaps.
Elsa has Laryngeal paralysis - Laryngeal paralysis, also known as voice box paralysis, is a condition in animals that occurs when the nerves and muscles that control the larynx, or voice box, stop working. This prevents the larynx from opening to allow air in and closing to keep food and water out, making breathing difficult. (Cornell University.)
Elsa has some stuff that we have been dealing with but this Laryngeal thing is at the forefront of concerns. We are hoping we can manage it with avoidance of the triggers. Heat is an issue, over excitement and stress. With the temperatures rising it is getting increasing difficult to get out early enough with her. So we are looking at alternatives right now.
When a dog has laryngeal paralysis; one of the main treatments is to do what is called “a tieback” where they actually tie back one of the flaps of the larynx. The concern about doing this is aspiration pneumonia. At 13 years of age, this is an issue on it’s own with having a surgical procedure.
Then we have the constant uti’s due to incorrect anatomy. The effects of the spinal stroke she had 4 years ago, hearing loss and just plain getting old. Hey, we’re all getting old right? So she’s got stuff to deal with but pretty much if she’s not sleeping, she’s a very happy girl. It’s all about being surrounded by love ones. Knowing that she is so loved, protected and cared for is very comforting for her now.
When I see her little feet twitching away in a deep sleep dream, I smile. Giving our dogs this gift of contentment is everything. She sleeps a lot, probably a good 20 hours a day now. And food is ever more important now. Old dogs become much more focused on food. I know that she knows she’s getting old. I see her sense of vulnerability when we are out and about. She is much quicker to let “scary” dogs know they are not welcome near her.
She likes to take Riggs ball every once in a while and just hold it. It drives him crazy because he is not a sharing type dog (something I’m not a fan of). He is a green eyed monster and no matter what she has, he has to have it. He has learned not to touch her things when told but you can see his obsessive behavior in his eyes. So when it hits her, she’ll take a toy and keep because it makes her feel like she’s still got it.
Don’t get me wrong, she most definitely still has it. For a big girl at 13 years old, she amazes me on a daily basis. Since her stroke she’s been a trooper, she’s struggled and pushed through, never giving up. When I see that glimmer in her eye that says I’m going to beat up Riggs, it makes me smile. She’s a force to be wreckoned with, always has been. She’s rough and tough and loves nothing more than to throw down in a good brawl. Sometimes we come out of a rumble session with bumps and bleeding. She’s strong, powerful and a force.
Miss Elsa, the perfect angel. Let’s have an even bigger celebration next July 10th 2025!